It was not meant to be for European powerhouse Denmark in today’s China Open finals. The Danes, represented in three of the five finals in the 700.000 Dollars Premier Superseries event, left the Chinese city of Fuzhou empty handed.

Olympic champion Chen Long delighted the home crowd as he defeated world number one shuttler Viktor Axelsen to win the title on home soil for a fourth time. The number six seed emerged from a see-saw battle 21-16, 14-21, 21-13 in Fuzhou, getting the better of the European world champion and top seed in 72 thrilling minutes.

„Chen Long played better than I did today. Thanks for your support. As always, much appreciated! I am off to Hong Kong tomorrow“, the 23-year old wrote on his official Facebook page.

The loss does not take away from what has been a fantastic - a career-high - 2017 for Viktor Axelsen (so far), winning the gold medal at the World Championships in Glasgow, two victories at Superseries tournaments (Yonex Japan Open and India Open) and claiming the top spot in the BWF world rankings for the first time in his career.

In the men’s doubles, Denmark’s Mathias Boe and Carsten Mogensen lost an opportunity to earn their third China Open career title against world number one pair Marcus Gideon/Kevin Sukamuljo of Indonesia. The former Yonex All-England champions from Copenhagen lost 19-21, 11-21 after 40 minutes.

Despite Sunday's loss, Boe and Mogensen have proven they are in good form and will look to take that into the final weeks of the year to finish 2017 on a high note.

In the mixed doubles final, Mathias Christiansen and Christinna Pedersen went down to the number five seeds, Zheng Siwei/Huang Yaqiong of China 15-21, 11-21. Despite falling short of winning their maiden Superseries title, the Danish pair will rocket a few places up the world rankings.

Japan's Akane Yamaguchi beat Chinese qualifier Gao Fangjie to win her first Superseries title of the year. The title in the women’s doubles category was taken by local stars Chen Qingchen/Jia Yifan.