Reigning Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen of Denmark has sent out an early warning to his rivals ahead of next week's World Championships in Huelva, Spain, in capturing the World Tour Finals title in Bali yesterday.
Fresh from winning the Indonesia Open title last week, Axelsen was just too strong for three-time world junior champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand, as the Dane raced to a comfortable 21-12, 21-8 lead in just 43 minutes.
Although Axelsen declined to comment on the upcoming world meet, the 2017 champion is clearly the man to beat, given his fantastic run in form this year.
For the record, the world No 1 has won seven titles from 10 final appearances this season.
"I am very happy right now despite it being a very unusual championship with all the withdrawals early on.
"However, a win is a win and that is the best anyone can do, which is to go out and try to win matches.
"I am very proud with how I've performed in the last two weeks and am very happy to have won," said the 27-year-old, who didn't have to play Kento Momota in the group stages after the Japanese ace retired with an injury.
Axelsen's compatriot Rasmus Gemke also threw in the towel when he was trailing Axelsen 5-1 in the first group match on Wednesday.
The Dane earned US$120,000 (RM507,000) for his win, while Kunlavut received US$60,000 (RM254,000).
RESULTS (ALL FINALS) — Men's singles: Viktor Axelsen (Den) bt Kunlavut Vitidsarn (Tha) 21-12, 21-8; Doubles: Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi (Jap) bt Marcus Fernaldi Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo (Ina) 21-16, 13-21, 21-17;
Women's singles: An Se Young (Kor) bt P.V.Sindhu (Ind) 21-16, 21-12; Doubles: Kim So Yeong-Kong Hee Yong (Kor) bt Nami Matsuyama-Chiharu Shida (Jap) 21-14, 21-14;
Mixed doubles: Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Sapsiree Taerattanachai (Tha) bt Yuta Watanabe-Arisa Higashino (Jap) 21-19, 21-11.
Viktor Axelsen