KHARKOV INT’L SF – Axelsen falls, Leverdez to face local hero

Brice Leverdez and Dmitri Zavadsky will play in the final of the Karkhov International on Sunday, with German favourites looking for 3 golds in the other events. This event is one of the toughest International Challenge tournaments.

By Raphael Sachetat. Photo: Badmintonphoto (archives)

Viktor Axelsen had no answer to the brilliant game of local shuttler Dmytro Zavadsky in the semi-final of the Karkhov International and bowed down 21-12, 21-17.

“Felt like I had no power in my legs. I tried to accept it, but wasn’t enough today,” stated the young prodigy on his Facebook wall.  One man will be happy about this defeat – Frenchman Brice Leverdez (pictured), who came back from 14-19 down to clinch his first game against Christian Lind Thomsen21-19 and kept up the pace to win the second one 21-13.

“I felt like he was trying to slow down the game in the first game and I had to speed up the pace to get a chance. He also made some mistakes at crucial points. It’s a good win for me and I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s match against Zavadsky. He played a fantastic game today and will have the crowd’s support so it will be difficult,” said the French shuttler, who travelled to Ukraine with no coach, during his post match interview streamed live from BadmintonEurope.tv

He and Zavadsky have met4 times, with 3 victories for Leverdez. Last time they played each other, however, the French played way below par and lost in the Sudirman Cup group stage to Zavadsky.

Elsewhere, Germany has a good chance to clinch some gold, with all three top seeds advancing to the final of the event in Ukraine. Yao Lei from Singapore may turn the tables around as she also appears in two finals with Shinta Mulia Sari and Chayut Triyachart. Olga Konon will face 5th seed Susan Egelstaff who is yet to lost a game in this competition.

Finals line-up
MS: Brice Leverdez (FRA) vs. Dmytro Zavadsky (UKR)
WS: Susan Egelstaff (SCO) vs. Olga Konon (GER)
MD: Cwalina/Logosz (POL) vs. Ivanov/Sozonov (RUS)
WD: Michels/Marinello (GER) vs. Yao/Sari (SIN)
XD: Fuchs/Michels (GER) vs. Triyachart/Yao (SIN)

Live results HERE

on Youtube