HSBC BWF World Tour Finals 2022 | Viktor Axelsen (DEN) vs. Kodai Naraoka (JPN) | SF

HSBC BWF World Tour Finals 2022
Men's Singles | Semifinals
Viktor Axelsen (DEN) vs. Kodai Naraoka (JPN)

#BWFWorldTourFinals #Bangkok2022

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[stevenross]

One of the best matches I’ve ever seen. Even though Kodai lost, but what skills he showed today!! Omg!! What a game man! 🎉

[sneakerlove]

What an amazing match. The tension, the emotions, and skill displayed by both players.

[chaenitsu]

even though Kodai lost.. i’m still so proud of him 😭😭😭 he did so well today

[ericlam]

For anyone questioning the fault call at the net in the first set the umpire was right and made the right call. The shuttle hit the net first before Kodai hit the net. Gill also states the exact rule but she just didn’t see the replay. It’s clear in the replay that the bird hit the net and went down on Viktor’s side before Kodai hit the net. The bird doesn’t have to hit the ground first, a common misconception.

[adyari]

what's interesting is that kodai was battered heavily by Axelsen in the group stage. this actually means Kodai learnt from it and exercised a right tactic now. that's genius

notice how Kodai doesn't wanna play long to rear court and lift and let Axelsen has the height advantage. he sends many dropshots net play, and fast straight ball to Axelsen body.

[reinartes]

The umpire awarded Axelsen an extra point during 5-4 points in the third set where Naraoka challenged. The score should have been 5-5, but it became 6-5 instead. Surprise how no one noticed this.

[chongminwang]

Wow, what a game. Behold! this Naraoka kid is legit! This game tells us that Axelsen is human, he can be challenged, he can be defeated. I think other elite player's coaches are taking notes about Naraoka's game plan against Axelsen: 1, solid smash defense; 2, try not to lift, even if lift or clear might look like safe play. Instead, half smash or drop to force Axelsen play under-handed; 3, battle over the net as your life depend on it. And, when Axlesen lifts, NEVER lift even if drop shot or smash don't appear to be good option. Do it anyway.
Naraoka has fairly good chance to close the match in the end of 2nd game, but he was too eager to finish the game, thus played into Axelsen's rhythm and tired himself out. Axelsen is difficult to beat mostly because of his solid defense, especially the relentless attack defense. However he becomes vulnerable when the pace break his rhythm.

[hasanbaig]

Crazy how fast naraoka is improving his game

[NP-Channel]

Viktor got the free point at 5-6 in the 3rd game, it was supposed to be 5-5 after Naraoka won the challenge. That's a ridiculous mistake and really disturbing.

[lifranco]

Am i wrong or did the umpire just make a mistake in score in 1:09:31 rally. He give axelsen 1 point while naroaka is challenging

[kazlette]

Great match. Firstly, that was not a fault in the first game. Once the bird hits the net and starts moving downwards the bird is considered 'dead' and rally is over. That's why you can hit the net at that point, even though it seems like a fault. Secondly, giving Axelsen a free point in the third is a tragic mistake!!!

[krishanrathi]

No doubt Victor is the greatest player at the moment, but kodai is getting better with each outing, He is still 21, give him one more year and he will be a real threat to King Victor's throne.

[FlameZenon]

kodai really showed great skills with great sportmanship

[stefanhosk]

No doubt Kodai has bright future ahead
. Had he played more patiently in the end of 2nd set, he could hv won. But too bad, he fell into Axelson's strategy.

But this is one great match for both players

[HoangTueLap]

1:09:45 - what happened ? why did victor get 1 extra point while challenging

[barbieekath]

Bro, it's so interesting to see how both player is playing different and everything, both players are so talented and im so proud of Victor bc im from denmark

[toanjack]

The 2nd match was great. the end points Axelsen has deliberately pushed the bridge at the end of the field continuously. He really knows how to make Naraoka lose a lot of strength

[mindset]

Amazing Kodai, brilliant player so energetic. 💪💪💪

[robertsanders]

People in that stadium got their money's worth... Wish I had seen it live!

[abhiseksingh]

The commentator is like axelsen is not attacking at all every 10 min, cant she see naraoka is actually playing flat game and lifting very less, great job kodai just amazing man 🔥🔥