Singapore Badminton Open: Anthony Ginting is first man to retain title in 20 years
World No.2 in imperious form to subdue Anders Antonsen; Red-hot An Se-young snares women's singles title over world No.1
SINGAPORE — Not since 2003 has the KFF Singapore Badminton Open seen a successful men's singles title defence - until Sunday (11 June), when Indonesia's Anthony Sinisuka Ginting retained the title in dominant fashion at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
The world No.2 was an ocean of calm as he subdued Denmark's former world No.2 Anders Antonsen 21-16, 21-13 in 40 minutes, repelling his opponent's aggressive shot-making with assured court craft, never once looking troubled against Antonsen, who memorably stunned world No.4 Kodai Naraoka in the semi-finals.
When the final point was won, Ginting finally smiled widely and pumped his fists, satisfied with his supremely composed performances throughout the competition.
The 26-year-old becomes the first men's singles player since China's Chen Hong in 2003 to retain his title, and the first player since Wang Yihan in 2014 to manage the feat at the Singapore Open.
"I wanted to play an aggressive style, but at the same time, be calm throughout the match," he told reporters after the match.
"It was a close fight in the first game, but things did not go well for Antonsen in the second, so I'm glad I was able to capitalise and win.
"I feel I have a special connection with this country, and I'm always relaxed and able to play at my best here."
With the Open win, Ginting adds to his victory at the Badminton Asia Championships this year,
Red-hot An Se-young beats world No.1 Akane Yamaguchi
In the women's singles, South Korea's An Se-young stamped her credentials as this year's red-hot player, winning her fifth title on the BWF Tour with a convincing 21-16, 21-14 victory over world No.1 Akane Yamaguchi of Japan.
The 21-year-old world No.2 belied her youthful age, playing a matured game as she matched the tenacious Yamaguchi in defensive work before picking off the key points for her third win over the Japanese this year.
An has already reached a staggering eight women's singles finals this year, and she said that her confidence is growing with each tour victory.
"I used to be doubtful of my abilities, but this year shows that I've making good progress and am on the right track," the Gwangju native said after her win.
Yamaguchi's compatriots Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi at least gave the Japanese fans something to cheer about, as they clinched the men's doubles title, beating China's Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang 21-13, 21-18 in 41 minutes.
The women's doubles title was won by the top-seeded Chinese pair of Cheng Qingchen and Jia Yifan, who comfortably defeated South Korea's Baek Ha-na and Lee So-hee 21-16, 21-12 in 44 minutes.
In the mixed doubles, in-form Danish pair Mathias Christiansen and Alexandra Boje prevailed in a 67-minute battle with Japan's second-seeded Yuta Watanabe and Arisa Higashino, winning 21-14, 20-22, 21-16.
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