Who is Tougher to Face:Lin Dan or Lee Chong Wei? Axelsen Fears

dd yy October 8, 2024 0

Tokyo and Paris Olympic men’s singles gold medalist Viktor Axelsen from Denmark recently reflected on his experiences facing Malaysia’s “Dato'” Lee Chong Wei and China’s “Super Dan” Lin Dan. Axelsen believes that Lee Chong Wei is tougher to deal with.

Axelsen has had numerous opportunities to compete against these two legendary players, but he has struggled significantly against Lee Chong Wei, suffering 11 losses out of 14 encounters. In contrast, he has had a relatively successful track record against Lin Dan, winning 6 out of 9 matches.

Recalling his early encounters with Lee Chong Wei, Axelsen noted that his opponent’s speed and sharpness were difficult to cope with. “I really don’t understand how anyone could beat Lee Chong Wei; he’s so much faster than me. Whenever I try to play a high shot, he would just smash it for a point, and it feels crazy.”

As for facing Lin Dan, Axelsen remarked that Lin’s inclination for drop shots makes him relatively easier to handle. “Although Lin’s shots are hard to predict, I feel I can engage in more rallies, which gives me more confidence.”