NANJING, China, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Defending champion Viktor Axelsen defeated China's Huang Yuxiang 21-17, 21-8 here on Wednesday, marching towards his second men's singles title at the BWF World Championships. Another title favorite, Kento Momota of Japan, advanced by beating Luka Wraber 21-8, 21-10.
Top seed Axelsen was tested by Huang in the first game before an unexpected leak from the roof of the arena interrupted the match for over ten minutes. "Maybe it was because of the air condition system, I found there were drops of unknown liquid on the court, I don't know whether it was water or something else, but I know we couldn't continue to play because it was dangerous," the Dane said.
After some negotiations, the duel which was tied at 16-16 was moved onto another court. It turned out to be the turning point of the match as Huang only won nine points after the resumption, one in the first game and eight in the second. "I was not prepared for the unexpected incident on the court. He went into the game much better after the break, I didn't get used to the new court as quickly as he did," Huang said.
The 25-year-old managed a strong fight-back in the first game before the break, winning five consecutive points to level the score. Both players admitted that the change of court affected their play but Axelsen emphasized that the change was "the same to each side".
Elsewhere, Japanese poster boy Momota claimed an easy win over Wraber of Austria, whose world ranking is 99 places below that of the title favorite. Rio Olympic champion Chen Long knocked out Khosit Phetpradab 21-16, 21-11.
