Home turf: Viktor Axelsen, who considers Malaysia one of his favourite venues, taking a wefie with fans. — Axelsen’s Facebook.
PETALING JAYA: Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen is ready to make his comeback in the men’s singles at one of his favourite hunting grounds.
The Dane is set to compete in the Malaysian Open from Jan 7-12 at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil after recovering in time from a leg injury, which forced him to withdraw from the World Tour Finals in Hangzhou last month.
Axelsen, who turns 31 on Saturday, is one of the favourites for the title after capturing the crown in 2022 and 2023.
He has also won the Malaysian Masters twice in 2018 and 2024, and finished runners-up in 2020 to Japan’s Kento Momota.
The two-time Olympic champion expressed his excitement to compete again in Malaysia when he posted a message directed to the home fans via social media.
“Looking forward to go back to Malaysia soon and to see you all in Kuala Lumpur,” said Axelsen.
Axelsen is seeded fourth this time in the competition behind China’s top seed Shi Yuqi, another Dane and defending champion Anders Antonsen, and Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie.
Axelsen has been placed in the top half of the draw and will open his campaign against Hong Kong’s world No. 21 Lee Cheuk Yiu before a possible meeting against India’s world No. 12 Lakshya Sen in the second round.
If Axelsen overcomes his early hurdles, he could face China’s world No. 7 Li Shifeng or Taiwan’s world No. 9 Chou Tien-chen in the last eight.
In last year’s edition, Axelsen went down fighting to Yuqi in three games in a thrilling semi-final match.
Antonsen then defeated Yuqi in the final.
Both Antonsen and Yuqi could again be Axelsen’s biggest threats for the title this time.
Meanwhile, Malaysia will be represented in the men’s singles by world No. 6 Lee Zii Jia and world No. 29 Leong Jun Hao.
Zii Jia will play Taiwan’s world No. 33 Su Li-yang in the first round while Jun Hao, who will be making his debut in the home Open, has a tough task against China’s world No. 16 Lu Guangzu.
