Taiwan’s Lee Chai-hao stuns world No 1 Axelsen in Hong Kong Open first round

World No 1 Viktor Axelsen crashed out of the Victor Hong Kong Open in a shock first round defeat, while there were mixed fortunes for the city’s top players on Wednesday.

Having won last week’s China Open, the top seeded Dane could not get past qualifier Lee Chai-Hao of Taiwan, and fell in straight games 21-16, 21-10 at Hong Kong Coliseum.

But the Olympic champion had no complaints about his surprising loss, admitting he just “lost to a better player today”.

“I played the final in the China Open over the weekend and perhaps it’s a little tough coming here and turning to a new place for preparing everything as I used a lot of energy,” Axelsen said. “But all credit to my opponent today as he was way better than me and deserved to win.”

Before Lee Chai-Hao had stunned the 4,000-strong crowd with his win, the home supporters were able to cheer on local favourite and defending champion Lee Cheuk-yiu in his relatively simple 21-13, 21-15 win over China’s Weng Yongyang.

“It’s so nice returning to the Coliseum where I enjoyed the great support of the fans,” Lee, who won in 2019, said. “I put the result from four years ago behind as it was too long ago and will focus on what I can do this time.”

It was an exciting night for the 4,000 fans who first witnessed the victory of Lee Cheuk-yiu, the defending champion, who beat Weng Yongyang of China 21-13, 21-15 before watching Angus Ng Ka-long who lost to 2018 Asian Games champion Jonatan Christine of Indonesia after three games 16-21, 21-17, 21-17.

Lee Cheuk-yiu will meet take on 2018 Asian Games champion Jonatan Christine, who needed three games to beat Angus Ng Ka-long, 16-21, 21-17, 21-17.

And while Ng continues his downward spiral, a young Jason Gunawan could be the next Hong Kong star. The 19-year-old beat Misha Zilberman of Israel in his maiden appearance at the Coliseum, having only ever previously been to the venue as a spectator.

“I only watched from the spectator stand before and the atmosphere was totally different as I started in the court,” Gunawan said. “I could feel the power of the fans when they chanted for me in the closing stages of the second. It was amazing.”

Gunawan is a member of the Asian Games squad and ranked fourth in the singles for the team event, but said he hoped his performance would give him a better chance of playing in Hangzhou.

He will take on Rasmus Gemke of Denmark in the next round.

In an all-Hong Kong mixed-doubles encounter, Tang Chun-man and Tse Ying-suet came from behind in an hour-long battle to beat Reginal Lee Chun-hei and Ng Tsz-yau 18-21, 21-13, 21-16.

In the women’s singles, former champion Nozomi Okuhara of Japan exited in the first round after a 21-7, 23-21 defeat by Putri Kusuma Wardani of Indonesia.

Okuhara was at a loss to explain her defeat, only saying she was disappointed with the result.

In the men’s singles, second seed Anthony Ginting of Indonesia, the runner-up at the last Hong Kong Open in 2019, got off to a winning start after beating Brian Yang of Canada 21-9, 21-14.

“I am so happy to return to Hong Kong after these years as it’s always a popular tournament with good atmosphere from the fans,” said Ginting, who pulled out of the World Championships in August following the death of his mother.

“I will focus on my own performance, try to give my best in the remaining week and won’t talk about any medal hope at this moment.”