Axelsen, Tai win titles

Dubai, Dec 18: Denmark's Viktor Axelsen and Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei claimed the men's singles and women's singles titles, respectively, in the Badminton World Federation's (BWF) Dubai World Superseries Fils here on Sunday.

Axelsen, bronze medallist at the Rio Olympic Games, defeated Chi's Tian Houwei in three games 21-14, 6-21, 21-17 in the men's singles fil, while 2014 edition champion Tai regained her title after moving past Sung Ji Hyun of South Korea 21-14, 21-13.

"I feel really good. I have been in the fil so many times so it makes me really happy," said Axelsen who finished runner-up in 2015.

In the men's doubles fil, Malaysian pair of V. Shem Goh and Wee Kiong Tan got the better of Japan's Takeshi Kamura and Keigo Sonoda 21-14, 21-19.

The women's doubles summit clash saw Chinese shuttlers Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan upset Japan's 2016 Rio Olympic gold medallists Misaki Matsutomo and Ayaka Takahashi in three tough games 21-15, 13-21, 21-17 in Dubai's Hamdan Sports Complex, reports Xinhua.

"We still cannot believe this moment, we feel very excited," said a happy Qingchen holding the trophies with her partner Jia in their hands.

Qingchen also held aloft the mixed doubles trophy as she partnered Zheng Siwei to beat British couple Chris and Gabrielle Adcock 21-12, 21-12 in barely 30 minutes. IANS