Indian shuttlers are dangerous opponents: Axelsen

Aiming to secure his second title at the India Open here, former world champion Viktor Axelsen Sunday praised the current crop of Indian shuttlers, describing them as highly competitive and dangerous.

The former world no 1 from Denmark, who won a silver at the All England Championship this month, starts firm favourite to win the India Open crown, a feat he achieved in 2017, after reaching three back-to-back summit clashes from 2015 to 2017.

"It is always really competitive, you have to always take care against them. I played Sameer at the All England, it was a tough match and it is always tough, they are always dangerous to face," Axelsen told reporters after a practice session at the IG stadium.

The Yonex-Sunrise India Open will have Kidambi Srikanth, Sameer Verma and B Sai Praneeth in the top half, while HS Prannoy starts in the bottom part of the draw, which also features second seed Axelsen, who will receive the top billing following the withdrawal of top seed Shi Yuqi of China.

Given the hectic BWF structure, Axelsen said his main target this season is to be in top form at the World Championship.

"All England was one of the big goals, and I did well there. It is very hard to prepare for every tournament , now that we have so many, I feel okay now but I am not at my peak condition. The next goal obviously for me is the world championship," he said.

"You can physically at most peak at 2-3 tournaments in a year and for me it is likely just two times and one was at All England and next time I can physically peak hopefully at the World Championship."
"I feel I still still slowly going back to my top level and still a way to go for me."
Asked if it affected the Denmark team, Axelsen said: "We sort of saw it coming a little bit. So we prepared everyone but now it is in the past and we are over it."