KUALA LUMPUR: Professional singles player Liew Daren has withdrawn from the second round of the Malaysia Open today due to an injured right calf.
This meant his opponent, defending champion and world No 1, Viktor Axelsen of Denmark received a walkover to advance to the quarterfinals tomorrow.
Axelsen, who received an extra day of rest will next meet Kenta Nishimoto of Japan, who eliminated fifth seed Jonatan Christie of Indonesia 21-15, 21-17 today.
Daren, who turned 35 on Tuesday, had hinted at withdrawing from the Super 1000 Championship if the injury sustained a month ago did not recover in time.
The 2018 World Badminton Championship bronze medallist opened his campaign with a 21-15, 14-21, 21-17 win over Toma Junior Popov of France while Axelsen subdued compatriot Rasmus Gemke 17-21, 21-14, 21-12 two days ago.