JAKARTA: Taiwan shuttler Chou Tien-chen won the men’s singles at the Indonesia Open badminton tournament Sunday, his first title in a Super 1000 level event.

The world number three became the first Taiwanese to win the title at the Indonesia Open, after defeating Denmark’s Anders Antonsen 21-18, 24-26, 21-15 in 91 minutes.

“It was a good game, both of us pressured each other for 90 minutes, it was a long game ... and exhausting,” the 29-year-old said through an interpreter after the match.

In the women’s singles, Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi clinched the title after defeating India’s Pusarla V. Sindhu 21-15, 21-16.

She only advanced to the final for the first time after demolishing Taiwan’s world number one Tai Tzu-ying on Saturday.

Meanwhile, in the women’s doubles, Japanese duo Yuki Fukushima and Sayaka Hirota beat their compatriots Misaki Matsutomo and Ayaka Takahashi 21-16, 21-18.

In an all-Chinese mixed doubles, Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong outclassed Wang Yilyu and Huang Dongping 21-13, 21-18 to clinch the title.

The men’s doubles final was an all-Indonesian affair with the world’s top-ranked pair Marcus Gideon and Kevin Sukamuljo besting Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan 21-19 and 21-16.

The powerhouse duo — affectionately dubbed the “Minions” after the yellow characters in a popular 2015 animated film — praised their opponents and fellow countrymen for their fast-paced game.

“We were very lucky in the first game, we relied a lot on luck. It was extremely difficult to predict their moves,” Suka­muljo told a press conference.

Published in Dawn, July 22nd, 2019

Opinion

Editorial

More pledges
25 May, 2024

More pledges

THE administration’s campaign to bring Gulf investment to Pakistan continues apace, with the prime minister...
Pemra overreach
25 May, 2024

Pemra overreach

IT seems, at best, a misguided measure and, at worst, an attempt to abuse regulatory power to silence the media. A...
Enduring threat
25 May, 2024

Enduring threat

THE death this week of journalist Nasrullah Gadani, who succumbed to injuries after being attacked by gunmen, is yet...
IMF’s unease
Updated 24 May, 2024

IMF’s unease

It is clear that the next phase of economic stabilisation will be very tough for most of the population.
Belated recognition
24 May, 2024

Belated recognition

WITH Wednesday’s announcement by three European states that they intend to recognise Palestine as a state later...
App for GBV survivors
24 May, 2024

App for GBV survivors

GENDER-based violence is caught between two worlds: one sees it as a crime, the other as ‘convention’. The ...