Anthony Ginting ends 2-year title slump at Singapore Badminton Open
SINGAPORE — Indonesian shuttlers swept three out of the five Singapore Badminton Open titles at stake on Sunday (17 July), with Anthony Sinisuka Ginting clinching his first BWF World Tour men's singles title since 2020.
The 25-year-old Indonesian - who defeated home favourite Loh Kean Yew in Saturday's semi-finals - ended the giant-killing run of Japan's Kodai Naraoka, winning 23-21, 21-17 in an enthralling, 53-minute final.
Naraoka almost seized the advantage in the first game when he reached game point at 21-20, but the world No.6 Ginting managed to turn the tables on the world No.43.
“I knew I had to set a very fast pace to disrupt his movement and rhythm,” said Ginting. “I had to get into good positions that would give me several options to either attack or get to the net quickly. I’m so happy I managed to play an almost complete game today.”
In winning his first title in two years, Ginting admitted that it was a very emotional victory, as he endured a long slump after reaching world No.3 in February 2020.
"But during that period, I never stopped believing in myself and knew I would come out stronger from the slump,” he said.
Sindhu clinches women's singles final
In the women's singles, India's Pusarla V. Sindhu overcame a mid-match slump to defeat China's Wang Zhiyi 21-9, 11-21, 21-15 in 58 minutes.
“It was really hard for me to catch up in the second game as she raced to a 6-0 lead and I was always chasing the game," the world No.7 said after her win.
"But in the third game, I fought for every point and made sure I could always hold a two-point lead. I knew it was going to be a long match and I didn’t take it easy. I managed to hold on until the end and getting this win is indeed very special to me.”
Indonesian's dominance in the doubles competitions was evident at the Open when their shuttlers won both the men's and women's doubles titles.
In the men’s doubles, Daniel Marthin and Leo Rolly Carnando caused an upset after they defeated compatriots Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto 9-21, 21-14, 21-16.
Fajar and Ardianto have been the year’s in-form pair, securing three titles and three runners-up finishes this season.
“We played without expectations and surprised even ourselves with this victory,” said Marthin. “We just enjoyed our game out on the courts today and it helped that we played without much pressure.”
In the women's doubles Apriyani Rahayu and Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti continued their remarkable partnership as they won their second title in only their fifth tournament as a pair, beating China's Zhang Shuxian and Zheng Yu 21-14, 21-17.
Thailand’s Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai successfully defended their mixed doubles title after they defeated China’s Wang Yi Lyu and Huang Dongping 21-12, 21-17.
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