Malaysia Open: Axelsen, Yamaguchi win singles titles; Zheng Si Wei/Huang Ya Qiong bags mixed doubles (Image Source: IANS)
Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen on Sunday retained his Malaysia Open Super 1000 men's singles title while the reigning world champion Japan's Akane Yamaguchi clinched the women's singles trophy.
It was Axelsen's record ninth consecutive final in the BWF Super 1000 tournaments and eighth in the top-tier level series. The Dane defended his title by beating Naraoka Kodai of Japan in straight sets, 21-6, 21-15 in the final here at Axiata Arena.
Carrying her scintillating form from 2022, Yamaguchi outplayed number two seed An Se Young of Korea 12-21, 21-19, 21-11 for the women's singles title in the opening World Tour event of 2023.