India Open Super Series: Ratchanok Intanon lifts crown in style

Japan’s Kento Momota reacts after winning 21-15, 21-18 against Viktor Axelsen of Denmark in their India Open men’s final in New Delhi on Sunday. (Photo: AFP)

The India Open Super Series tournament stays close to Ratchanok Intanon’s heart. She had lifted her first SuperSeries title here in 2013 — the phenomenal year which also saw her becoming the youngest champion ever, at 18, at the World Champion-ships. However, a string of injuries had pegged her back in the following years.

On Sunday, the Thai world no. 5 made a strong statement as she announced her return to form, stunning reigning Olympic champion Li Xuerui of China 21-17, 21-18 for the women’s singles crown here.

Ratchanok, also 2015 runner-up, says she has a better record playing in India than any other country. “I enjoy playing here. Today the crowd was behind me, which helped me gain crucial points.”

Meanwhile, Japan’s fourth ranked Kento Momota won his first India Open title and his fourth Superseries crown beating Dane Viktor Axelsen 21-15, 21-18 in the men’s final.

In fact, Momota has won all the four finals of a Superseries event he had reached so far — earlier he had won the Singapore, Indonesia and Superseries Finals. “I think the experience of the Superseries finals in Dubai helped me today. I was able to execute my plans. This win will put me in a good frame of mind ahead of the Rio Olympics,” said Momota.

Momota, who stayed ahead throughout, had answers to each of Axelsen’s stroke as the Japanese mixed his winners with delicate drops and net strokes to decimate the sixth ranked Dane.

However, Axelsen showed great fighting spirit at the end, saving three match points from 15-20 but that wasn’t enough.

Earlier, in the battle of two former champions, Ratchanok overcame the spirited Chinese riding an overall game laced with deceptive strokes. The match was a repeat of the 2013 World Championships final, but the Thai had it easier this time finishing off in straight games.

There were a lot of flat exchanges and down the line smashes, but several unforced errors had pegged the Chinese back in the first game.

However, she controlled the shuttle better in the second and picked up points at the net as the Thai shuttler sent it long on several occasions. Trailing 6-11, Li made it 14-16 owing to some down the line smashes and superb game at the net.

At 20-16, Ratchanok however conceded two match points before finishing it off with a mid-court smash.