Japan’s Momota easily wins Malaysia Masters

KUALA LUMPUR: World number one Kento Momota won the Malaysia Masters after easily defeating Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen 24-22, 21-11 on Sunday. The victory in­ Malaysia lends credence to Momota’s drive to win the gold in July’s Tokyo Olympics.

The reigning world champion told reporters that he eyes more success in 2020.Momota held a 13-1 win record against Axelsen coming into this showdown, but the lanky Dane tried to close the gap by racing to a 7-1 lead in the opening game.

But Momota kept his calm and eventually took the first game. The second game was dominated by the 25-year-old Momota, who defended strongly against Axelsen’s aggressive attack. He took 54-minutes to defeat Axelsen. Axelsen could have taken the first game at 21-20, but a racquet fault denied him.