Japan Masters 2023: Jonathan Christie Defeated In Axelsen's Hands

JAKARTA Jonathan Christie failed to advance to the semifinals of the Japan Masters 2023 after losing to Denmark's first seed, Viktor Axelsen.

The first set was successfully secured by Jonathan before giving up the next two games with the final scores 21-15, 18-21, and 9-21 at Kumamoto Predictural Gymnasium, Japan, on Friday, November 17, 2023.

Jonathan said that this result was certainly beyond expectations, but after all the opponents he faced were one of the best players in the world at this time.

"At the beginning of the first game I played quite well and it seemed that the opponent played a little less comfortable. However, the second game was very unfortunate. Since the first game, the match was intense, not only from the game but also from the mind," said Jonathan.

After securing the first game, Jonathan immediately stepped on the gas at the beginning of the second game with three points in a row.

He then came under pressure after the opponent equalized the score and took the lead back. Jonathan was back ahead 15-14, but Axelsen managed to get up to secure the game.

"Maybe people don't know that the thoughts and mentality in the second game also affect my game. The result in the third game is still like in the second game," said Jonathan.

This is Jonathan's 10th defeat in 12 clashes with Axelsen.

Jonathan's defeat left the Indonesian representative at the 2023 Japan Masters with the women's singles Gregoria Mariska Tunjung. The 2017 junior world champion previously qualified after beating Singapore's singles Yeo Jia Min.