Malaysia Open: Axelsen sails through first round with easy win over Kean Yew

The Star

Denmark’s world No. 1 men’s singles shuttler Viktor Axelsen put on a masterclass performance to beat former world champion Loh Kean Yew of Singapore 21-13, 21-15 in the first round of the Petronas Malaysia Open at Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday (Jan 9).  WATCH MORE: https://thestartv.com/c/news SUBSCRIBE: https://cutt.ly/TheStar LIKE: https://fb.com/TheStarOnline

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00:00 [CHATTER]

00:02 I think for myself, I would--

00:15 I think that there's a lot more to show and quite disappointed

00:17 in my own game.

00:18 I think I managed to pick up in the second game,

00:21 but it wasn't enough.

00:24 This year is going to be a tough year as well, because everyone

00:27 is aiming to be better and better because it's

00:30 the Olympic year.

00:30 So it's especially tough.

00:32 So I, of course, need to continue to work on myself.

00:37 And hopefully, things will get better.

00:40 Biggest mission?

00:41 I think still got a lot more to work on.

00:48 So yeah, I need to work on myself first.

00:51 I feel really, really happy about my first round

00:54 performance.

00:55 Looking new is not an easy opponent, and especially not

00:57 in the first round.

00:59 So I was really focused on bringing the right game plan

01:02 today, and I think I managed to do so really well.

01:06 My expectations is to prepare for the next round.

01:09 I have to practice a little bit tomorrow,

01:11 train a little bit, get ready.

01:12 It's nice to have an off day now.

01:13 I was really, really, really focused on my first round

01:16 today, because as I said, it's a tough first round for me.

01:19 And so to play like this and to get through rather comfortable

01:23 is a good thing for me.

01:26 Yeah?

01:26 You are two-time defending champion,

01:29 so this will be the third time that you will lead.

01:31 So how do you see your route to the final?

01:33 I don't see my--

01:34 I haven't seen my route at all.

01:36 I just focus on the first round today.

01:38 I just now realized, do I have to play in the second round?

01:41 So I just try to do my best.

01:42 I love playing here in Malaysia, especially KL.

01:44 It's one of my favorite places to play.

01:46 So I'll see if I can win here this week.

01:49 I've been really fortunate to win not only Malaysia Open,

01:53 but also Malaysia Masters in this stadium here,

01:55 which is a legendary stadium.

01:56 So I'm happy to be here.

01:58 [AUDIO OUT]

02:02 [AUDIO OUT]

02:05 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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