Axelsen to play Chen in Australia Superseries final

Viktor Axelsen upset his higher ranked Danish rival Jan O Jorgensen to reach the final of the Australian Open Superseries in Sydney on Saturday.

The ninth-ranked Axelsen prevailed 21-15, 21-17 over the world No.3 Jorgensen to reach his second Superseries final of the year after he was runner up in the India Open two months ago.

Axelsen will face world No.1 Chen Long in Sunday's final.

Chen beat the 10th-ranked Tian Houwei in an all-Chinese semi-final, 21-14, 21-19.

Tian's risk averse steadiness was more suited against Chen Long and he led early before his effectiveness petered out.

Spain's world No.3 Carolina Marin will play Chinese world No.6 Wang Shixian in Sunday's women's singles final.

Marin, who lost to India's Saina Nehwal in last year's tournament, downed South Korea's world No.7 Sung Ji-Hyun 21-13, 21-14.

Wang continued her supremacy over South Korea's Bae Yeon-Ju 21-19, 21-16 in the other semi-final.

Wang extended her head-to-head record over Bae to 16-2 but not without a battle with the Korean.

The Australia Open is the fifth event of the BWF World Superseries circuit and counts towards qualifying for next year's Rio Olympics.
Source: AFP