Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen withdrew from the BWF Singapore Open 2024 badminton tournament ahead of his scheduled semi-final on Saturday (1 June) citing injury.
The Dane, who beat Lakshya Sen, Lin Chun-Yi and Leong Jun Hao to reach the last four, said he picked up an ankle injury in his last-16 win over Lin.
“During my 2nd round I made a small rollover on my right ankle. Initially I felt fine and yesterday [against Leong] it was nothing but a bit of soreness,” he wrote on Instagram.
“However this morning I have woken up with increasing pain and after consulting with the medical team I have been advised to rest my ankle and will therefore not be able to step on court today.
“It’s obviously very disappointing as I would love to continue my run here.” Axelsen added that he would attempt to return at next week’s Indonesia Open if his injury allows.
It means People’s Republic of China will have two shuttlers in the men’s singles final in Singapore, with Li Shifeng the beneficiary of Axelsen’s withdrawal and progressing to face compatriot Shi Yuqi.
Shi beat Chou Tien-Chen of Chinese Taipei 28-26, 21-9.
Meanwhile, the women’s singles final will be between the top two seeds: the reigning world champion and world number one An Seyoung of Republic of Korea, and Chinese shuttler Chen Yufei, the defending Olympic champion and world number two.
Both women sealed straight-games victories on Saturday, with Chen beating Thailand’s Pornpawee Chochuwong 21-12, 21-17 and An seeing off Indonesian Gregoria Mariska Tunjung 21-14, 23-21.