Notably, Viktor Asselsohn in 2023
HSBC WTF World Tour Finals
Such great results and speed on it. Not that it hasn't happened in the past - but it's still fascinating.
When asked about the way he started the game and the way he ended it, Axelsson remembers it happening much earlier as well.
"I think maybe in 2017 I lost to him in the group stage and ended up winning the next encounter. Luckily, I made it to the semifinals, a tournament where if you're very strong physically and mentally, you can get a second chance, and I've managed to capitalize on that and I'm proud of that.
Such great results and speed on it. Not that it hasn't happened in the past - but it's still fascinating.
In the narrow loss to Shi Yuqi in Group A
Ensalon (name)
It looked tense and pressurized, but he was just a different player when the two were battling it out for the final. As he did in his next two group matches - against Kouda Naraoka and Anthony Sinisuka Ginting - and in the semifinals against Anders Andonsson, it was like he flipped a switch. No trials, no self-doubt, no angst about himself; just the relentless domination of the early exchanges. Shi Yuqi was outclassed in 49 minutes, 21-11 21-12.
And so it was that Anselmo continued to build on his already monumental legacy at the HSBC WSF World Tour events, particularly at the Finals. He knew the World Tour Finals were special because it was at this event (or its earlier version, the World Superseries Finals in 2016) that he snapped a losing streak in title contention. His fifth title - his third in four consecutive finals appearances - moved him past Lee Chong Wei as the most successful singles player in the season finale.
"I'm very proud and I'm also very tired," said the champion. "This tournament is very special for me - my first Grand Slam title was in 2016 when I overcame a lot of doubts and obstacles to start winning, so to win here again has a very special meaning for me. This is the fifth time I've won this year-end title, so it's very special.
When asked about the way he started the game and the way he ended it, Axelsson remembers it happening much earlier as well.
"I think maybe in 2017 I lost to him in the group stage and ended up winning the next encounter. Luckily, I made it to the semifinals, a tournament where if you're very strong physically and mentally, you can get a second chance, and I've managed to capitalize on that and I'm proud of that.
