A new prestigious name is on the hunting list ofAlex Lanier : Viktor Axelsen.
The Frenchman got the better of the Dane, double reigning Olympic champion, this Thursday, October 17 in the round of 16 of the Danish Open (21-19, 11-7 ab.). He won after 39 minutes of play when the Dane gave up.
The latter was ill and was not able to fully honor his status as gold medalist of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in front of his audience. The 19-year-old badista did not miss his chance, imposing his pace on the Dane.
Even when he was trailing by three points at the start of the match, the Calvados native held on. Alex Lanier took advantage of his varied game to put on enough intensity to overtake Viktor Axelsen. He wore it out, winning the first set after an incredible rally (21-19).
The difference was made and Viktor Axelsen was not able to return to the match with his form of the day. He even vomited before throwing in the towel at 7-11 in the second set.
Alex Lanier offers himself a prestigious victory by beating the number 1 seed of this Super 750 tournament. The path is not clear however because his next opponent will be Loh Kean Yewthe 2021 world champion.
No matter, the young Frenchman, former junior world number 1, is not afraid of anyone. He proved it against a weakened Viktor Axelsen but also in August during his victory at the Japan Open when he notably beat Lee Zii Jiabronze medalist at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, or Shi Yuqi then world number 1.
In Odense or elsewhere, the world is warned: Alex Lanier can beat everyone!
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