“Two Dragons Clash” -- Axelsen beaten by Chen Long

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Chinese Player Chen Long beat the No.1 seed player Axelsen at the Badminton World Championship quarter-finals on Friday.

Viktor Axelsen of Denmark reacts after a point against Chen Long of China in their men's singles quarter-final match during the badminton World Championships in Nanjing, Jiangsu province on August 3, 2018. /VCG Photo

As the two players’ Chinese names both have “Long” which means “dragon”, Chinese badminton fans were excited to see an adrenaline -fueled match when the “Two Dragons Clashed".

The 11th meeting between Axelsen and Chen ended up with Chinese dragon beating the Danish dragon 21-19, 21-11, and this is Olympic Champion’s 9th win over his 5-year-younger rival.

Chen Long of China falls after a point against Viktor Axelsen of Denmark in their men's singles quarter-final match during the badminton World Championships in Nanjing, Jiangsu province on August 3, 2018. /VCG Photo

There was a moment of controversy and the first game was held up for two minutes as the 29-year-old Chen disputed a call that fell in favor of the Dane. But the 24-year-old world number one Axelsen, who has single-handedly broken Asia's stranglehold on men's badminton in the last year, was always playing catch-up.

"He was a lot better than me today, unfortunately," said Axelsen, who tossed his racquet spinning into the air after losing the first game, drawing a withering look from the chair umpire. "But life goes on and I have to learn from this."

Shi Yuqi of China celebrates after defeating Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei in their men's singles quarter-final match during the Badminton World Championships at Nanjing Youth Olympic Games Sport Park on ‍August 3, 2018 in Nanjing, China. /VCG Photo

In another quarter-final, 22-year-old world ranking 3 player, China’s Shi Yuqi beat Chinese Taipei’s Chou Tien-chen, who just won the Singapore Badminton Open men’s single ten days before.

(With inputs from agency)