Just monitor Axelsen at French Open, he’s more motivated with new sponsor

PETALING JAYA: All eyes will be on Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen (pic) at the French Open starting next week.

World No. 1 Axelsen will be out to restore his start to this year after receiving a shot in the arm by signing a deal with his latest sponsor, Monitor ERP, a leading provider of ERP solutions for the manufacturing industry

The lanky Dane lost to Shi Yuqi of China in the semi-finals of the Malaysian Open last month and withdrew from the Thailand Masters due to foot injury.

But he is looking good to win his second title in Paris after nailing the first in 2022. Last year, he withdrew after losing 17-21 to Angus Ng Ka Long of Hong Kong in the first round.

The top seed has been drawn to face Priyanshu Rajawat of Thailand in the first round.

The seeded players in his half are reigning world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand (eighth), Li Shifeng of China (third) and Anthony Ginting of Indonesia (fifth). The unseeded buy dangerous players in his path are Jonathan Christie of Indonesia, Kenta Nishimoto of Japan, India’s Lakshya Sen and Loh Kean Yew of Singapore.

In the bottom half together with second seed Shi Yuqi are his teammate Lu Guangzu, Lee Zii Jia, H.S. Prannoy of India and Anders Antonsen of Denmark.

“I’m thrilled to partner with Monitor ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), a company that shares my passion for excellence and commitment to making a positive impact,” said Axelsen.

“Monitor’s history is very inspiring, and I’m very fortunate to be part of it. Together, we aim to inspire and achieve great things.”