Axelsen downs world number one Long to reach final of BWF Superseries Finals

Denmark's Viktor Axelsen earned his first win over Chen Long to reach the men's singles final ©Getty Images

Men’s world number one Chen Long was dumped out at the semi-final stage of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Superseries Finals after Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen triumphed in straight games in Dubai.

Axelsen headed into the contest hoping to record his first victory over the Chinese star, with Long having won each of their seven meetings during the past three years.

The 21-year-old began the contest in stunning style with several well-executed smashes helping him to claim the opening game 21-12, and despite the recently crowned BWF Men’s Player of the Year producing an improved display in the second, Axelsen eventually triumphed 21-12, 21-17.

“This is the biggest win of my career,” Axelsen said afterwards.

“In my previous matches, it was the same story, I always did well to begin with but he got a lead in the second game, but today I kept pulling through.

“I’ve exceeded my expectations.”

Axelsen was denied an all-Danish final after his compatriot Jan O Jorgensen was narrowly beaten by Kento Momota in their last four clash, with the Japanese player emerging as a 21-19, 21-18 winner.

Meanwhile, Carolina Marin’s difficult week came to an end as the women's world number one was beaten by Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara for the second consecutive day to bow out at the semi-final stage.

Japna's Nozomi Okuhara overcame Carolina Marin for the second consecutive day to reach the women's final — Japan's Nozomi Okuhara overcame Carolina Marin for the second consecutive day to reach the women's final ©Getty Images

The Spaniard, who had lost two and won one match to sneak through from the group, was hoping to put in an improved display after being outplayed by Okuhara yesterday, but the Japanese player dominated again to win 21-11, 21-12.

Okuhara will face China’s Wang Yihan in tomorrow’s final, after she defeated Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon 21-12, 21-12 in her last four match.

Both women’s doubles semi-finals were decided in straight games, with Denmark’s Christinna Pedersen and Kamilla Rytter Juh set to meet China’s Luo Ying and Luo Yu in tomorrow’s gold medal clash.

The Danes beat Indonesia’s Greysia Polii and Nitya Krishinda Maheswari 21-17, 21-12 while the Chinese pair overcame Japanese defending champions Misaki Matsutomo and Ayaka Takahashi, 21-19, 21-19.

World champions Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan booked their place in the men’s doubles final after earning a thrilling 21-17, 22-24, 21-15 victory over South Korea’s Lee Yong Dae and Yoo Yeon Seong, who had beaten the Indonesians earlier this week.

The duo will face China’s Chai Biao and Hong Wei, after they defeated Denmark’s Mathias Boe and Carsten Mogensen in another three-game epic, 17-21, 21-19, 24-22.

South Korea’s Ko Sung Hyun and Kim Ha Na overcame Hong Kong’s Lee Chun Hei and Chau Hoi Wah 21-15, 20-22, 21-12 in the mixed doubles semi-finals.

They will meet Chris and Gabrielle Adcock in the final with the English pairing having beaten Indonesia’s Praveen Jordan and Debby Susanto 21-17, 22-20.