Shi Yuqi won his second India Open badminton title on Sunday, overcoming a stiff challenge from Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk Yiu. World No.2 Chinese shuttler produced a good fight and battled for 54 minutes to win the summit clash in straight games 23-21, 21-17, adding to his 2018 title in New Delhi. Shi, who was competing in his second final in two weeks following a second-place finish in Malaysia, maintained his baseline play and smashed against his tenacious opponent. After a hard-fought opening game, the 27-year-old Chinese player was pressed again in the second when Lee scored 10 straight points after trailing 6-14. However, Shi continued to play with confidence and held his nerve to emerge as the champion.
In the second game, despite several contentious calls, Lee Cheuk Yiu went ahead. But I was patient and ultimately came through to win, Shi said. This victory is immensely significant in my career, given the prestigious nature of this tournament. Even though Viktor Axelsen is currently World No.1, it is so competitive that anyone can claim the throne, Shi expressed.
Meanwhile, in the women’s singles, Taiwanese Tai Tzu Ying defeated reigning Olympic champion Chen Yu Fei of China 21-16, 21-12 in a 42-minute battle. Chen, who defeated Tai in the Olympic final in Tokyo, led 7-1 before her opponent countered with strong play and quickly took the lead as a loud audience cheered on. Chen extended the first game with some fierce rallies, but the 29-year-old Taiwanese shuttler stormed back in the second to make a significant statement in the run-up to the Paris Olympics.
I was feeling a bit nervous but I got a lot of support from the fans, Tai said. I will fight for the medal in this year’s Olympics. I know it’s going to be difficult but I am working hard for it, she added.
In the women’s doubles category, Japan’s Mayu Matsumoto and Wakana Nagahara won the title after defeating China’s duo Zhang Shu Xian and Zheng Yu in straight games 21-12, 21-13. Thailand’s Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai won the mixed doubles title with a 21-16, 21-16 victory over Jiang Zhen Bang and Wei Ya Xin from China.
It was heartbreak for the Indian fans after their top-ranked pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty went down in a thrilling men’s doubles final. The South Korean world champions Kang Min-hyuk and Seo Seung-Jae won the title after beating the Indian pair 15-21, 21-11, 21-18.
