Odense, Denmark—The VICTOR Denmark Open 2025 Quarter-Finals are set for a mouth-watering clash that pits two of the men’s singles elite against each other: home hero and two-time Olympic Champion Viktor Axelsen of Denmark will face the reigning World Champion and tournament third seed, Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand.
This highly anticipated contest, designated as Match 8 on Court 1 at the Jyske Bank Arena, is currently scheduled for an estimated start time of 5:50 PM local time (GMT+2) on Friday, October 17th. With both players having navigated the first two rounds, this quarter-final offers a genuine blockbuster and is arguably the marquee match of the day.
Dominance in the Head-to-Head Record
The history between Axelsen and Vitidsarn is defined by the Dane’s undeniable dominance. The head-to-head (H2H) record stands firmly in favor of Axelsen: 7 Wins to 1 loss against the Thai star. This record underscores the steep challenge that Kunlavut faces every time he steps onto the court against his formidable rival. Axelsen’s ability to impose his powerful, aggressive game style, combined with his height and exceptional court coverage, has historically neutralized the defensive mastery and tireless retrieval skills of the Thai player.
However, Kunlavut, an exceptional tactical player and the 2023 World Champion, is the kind of opponent who constantly seeks to learn and adapt, making the 7-1 record a motivator rather than a deterrent.
The Current Form and Ranking Disparity
The statistical profile of the two athletes heading into this quarter-final paints a picture of a veteran champion managing his career and a younger star performing with great consistency, despite the wide gulf in their current BWF World Rankings:
| Statistic | Kunlavut Vitidsarn (THA) | Viktor Axelsen (DEN) |
| BWF World Ranking | 3 | 31 |
| HSBC Race to Finals Ranking | 2 | 40 |
| Career Win-Loss | 261 – 110 | 560 – 161 |
| This Year Win-Loss (2025) | 44 – 11 | 13 – 4 |
| Form (Last 5 Matches) | W-W-L-W-W | L-W-L-W-W |
Kunlavut’s World Ranking of No. 3 and his high Race to Finals Ranking of No. 2 highlight a phenomenal 2025 season marked by numerous deep runs, reflected in his impressive 44-11 year-to-date record. He is a model of consistency at the elite level.
In stark contrast, Viktor Axelsen, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, enters the quarter-final with a low World Ranking of No. 31. This reflects a highly selective tournament schedule and likely injury management throughout the year, as evidenced by his modest 13-4 W-L record for 2025. Despite the low ranking, Axelsen’s pedigree is undeniable, and his presence in the quarter-finals of a Super 750 event confirms that when he does compete, he remains a major threat.
The Defining Last Meeting: Paris 2024 Olympic Final
The most significant and defining match between these two came just two months ago, in the Gold Medal Match of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games Men’s Singles competition on August 5, 2024.
In that final, Viktor Axelsen delivered a masterful and dominant performance to secure his second consecutive Olympic Gold medal. The final score was a remarkably one-sided 21-11, 21-11, in a match that lasted just 52 minutes. The scoreline was a harsh reminder of Axelsen’s ceiling when he is playing at his peak, completely neutralizing Kunlavut’s patient, rally-based strategy.
For Kunlavut, this match in Odense offers an immediate chance to show that he has learned from the Olympic final defeat. He will need to employ new strategies, perhaps injecting more pace and aggression earlier in the rallies, to prevent the tall Dane from taking control of the net and the back court.
For Axelsen, playing on home soil, this match is about maintaining his psychological advantage and demonstrating that his low ranking is merely a technicality. The crowd support will be immense, and he will look to deploy the same ruthless efficiency he showed in Paris to secure a semi-final berth.
Ultimately, the Quarter-Final promises a fascinating tactical battle: the tireless defense and tactical precision of Vitidsarn against the imposing power and clinical finishing of the Danish legend, Viktor Axelsen. It’s a must-watch encounter with a place in the semi-finals of the prestigious Denmark Open on the line.