A towering problem: Hong Kong badminton star Angus Ng to face world champion Viktor Axelsen in last 16 in Nanjing
The 24-year-old easily overcomes his third-round opponent but sets up a tough last 16 assignment against the great Dane in men’s singles at the world championships
Hong Kong shuttler Angus Ng Ka-long won his third-round match in men’s singles at the world badminton championships in Nanjing but has a towering problem ahead of him after earning a last-16 encounter with defending champion Viktor Axelsen, of Denmark.
Ng defeated unheralded Raul Must, of Estonia, with a dominating performance before registering a 21-18, 21-18 victory but was pitted against world No 1 Axelsen in the top half of the draw.
“I have met Viktor a few times on the court and he’s always got the better of me, but I’m playing well and let’s see how it goes,” said the 24-year-old Ng, the world No 10.
Axelsen, last year’s surprise men’s world champion, is determined to retain his crown and would be confident of going further into the draw against Ng, whom he beat last time out at the China Open semi-finals last December.
Ng and Axelsen, who stands 1.94m tall, are good friends off court and converse in Mandarin with Ng credited to helping the Dane brush up on his Mandarin-speaking skills.