Delhi, 13 March (H.S.): At the All England Open, former world number one Viktor Axelsen faced an unexpected first-round defeat against Taiwan’s Lin Chun-yi.

After a tight first game and a dominating second, Axelsen faltered in the deciding game, losing 21-19, 13-21, 21-11, while acknowledging Lin’s great performance and expressing personal disappointment.

Axelsen said: “If I don’t play my best, everyone can win against me.

Lin claimed his first-ever win over the two-time men’s singles champions, triumphing in a back-and-forth first game before Axelsen dominated the second.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar