<p>Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen powered into the world number one spot on Wednesday after a walkover victory over fellow Dane Rasmus Gemke in the group stage of the World Tour Finals in Indonesia.</p>.<p>Axelsen, 27, took men's singles gold at this year's Tokyo Games and moves above Japan's Kento Momota as Gemke withdrew from their match injured.</p>.<p>Momota had been the world's leading men's player since September 2018 and also pulled out of his fixture, just one minute after it started.</p>.<p>"I am so sorry to my fans to end up like this," said Momota, who sustained a back injury in training earlier in the day.</p>.<p>Momota, who won a record 11 titles in 2019, and Gemke dropped out of the competition as their remaining matches were considered walkovers under the tournament regulations.</p>.<p>Axelsen is now favourite for the title and will meet unseeded Indian player Lakshya Sen in his next group match on Thursday.</p>.<p>The World Tour Finals, returning to Asia for the first time in 10 months, is the season-ending of three consecutive tournaments played in strict bio-secure conditions and without spectators.</p>.<p>Earlier, Japan's Akane Yamaguchi completed her women's group match in 34 minutes, defeating Singapore's Yeo Jia Min in straight sets 21-11, 21-14.</p>.<p>Thailand's top mixed doubles pair Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai beat home favourites Praveen Jordan and Melati Daeva Oktavianti 21-14, 10-21, 21-11.</p>.<p>"Today's matches were tight. We were under pressure and almost found it difficult to find the game rhythm," said Sapsiree.</p>.<p><strong>Check out the latest videos from <i data-stringify-type="italic">DH</i>:</strong></p>
<p>Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen powered into the world number one spot on Wednesday after a walkover victory over fellow Dane Rasmus Gemke in the group stage of the World Tour Finals in Indonesia.</p>.<p>Axelsen, 27, took men's singles gold at this year's Tokyo Games and moves above Japan's Kento Momota as Gemke withdrew from their match injured.</p>.<p>Momota had been the world's leading men's player since September 2018 and also pulled out of his fixture, just one minute after it started.</p>.<p>"I am so sorry to my fans to end up like this," said Momota, who sustained a back injury in training earlier in the day.</p>.<p>Momota, who won a record 11 titles in 2019, and Gemke dropped out of the competition as their remaining matches were considered walkovers under the tournament regulations.</p>.<p>Axelsen is now favourite for the title and will meet unseeded Indian player Lakshya Sen in his next group match on Thursday.</p>.<p>The World Tour Finals, returning to Asia for the first time in 10 months, is the season-ending of three consecutive tournaments played in strict bio-secure conditions and without spectators.</p>.<p>Earlier, Japan's Akane Yamaguchi completed her women's group match in 34 minutes, defeating Singapore's Yeo Jia Min in straight sets 21-11, 21-14.</p>.<p>Thailand's top mixed doubles pair Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai beat home favourites Praveen Jordan and Melati Daeva Oktavianti 21-14, 10-21, 21-11.</p>.<p>"Today's matches were tight. We were under pressure and almost found it difficult to find the game rhythm," said Sapsiree.</p>.<p><strong>Check out the latest videos from <i data-stringify-type="italic">DH</i>:</strong></p>