The processes|actions on links we deal-with are: 1) in a browser: a) link activating. 2) in a source-editor: a) link-text editing, b) link-target editing. 3) in a wysiwyg-editor: a) link-text editing, b) link-target editing c) link activating|following.
In VisualEditor (wysiwyg) link-activation is not yet implemented. So far I have seen 3 methods for this: i) double clicking ii) ctrl + clicking iii) popup the target, where you can activate the link.
I am using everyday a local hypertext wysiwyg editor for 20 years now (yes before html!!!) which uses the double-click method. I vote for this as the fastest and using only one hand.
I would like to here the VisualEditor's team opinions.