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Defending champions, including two-time winner Viktor Axelsen, fell on a day of shock results at the All England Open.

Denmark's Axelsen, the reigning Olympic champion, was beaten 21-18 9-21 23-21 by Malaysia's Ng Tze Yong in the men's singles second round.

Earlier, the 2022 women's doubles champions, Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida of Japan, were eliminated, before compatriots Yuta Watanabe and Arisa Higashino - chasing their third successive title in Birmingham - exited the mixed doubles.

"It's one of the most special tournaments to me," said an emotional Axelsen. "It's one of the biggest on the circuit so I want to do well.

"And when you fail, it's tough."

British interest in the prestigious tournament also ended on day three, when England's Lauren Smith and Chloe Birch were knocked out of the women's doubles in a second round 21-9 21-10 defeat by Japan's former champions Wakana Nagahara and Mayu Matsumoto.

There was defeat too for Scotland's men's doubles pairing of Alex Dunn and Adam Hall as they were beaten 21-17 21-17 by the Japanese fourth seeds.

Tournament schedule and ���˿��� coverage

All times are GMT and subject to late change

Friday, 17 March

Saturday, 18 March

Sunday, 19 March