Sameer Verma of India served another reminder of his growing reputation with an impressive 21-15, 21-18 win over Korean Soong Joo Ven in the 37-minute men’s singles final of the Hyderabad Open badminton championship at Gachibowli Indoor Stadium here on Sunday.
The focus was clearly on Sameer, a strong contender now for a slot in the year-ending BWF Super Series Finals.
And, he did not disappoint the sparse crowd, coming up with another brilliant blend of aggression and remarkable net-play to change the pace of the game.
Especially, in the first game when the Malaysian was leading 11-8.
The way Sameer pushed the opponent to the baseline to dictate terms was a treat to watch. Though southpaw Soong looked good to rattle the fancied Indian early in the first game, he withered away in the face of a clever shift in strategy by the Indian.
Sameer’s combination of jump smashes and cross-court drops were just too good. He now embarks on the circuit with the specific intention of improving his rankings.
Earlier, the top-seeded men’s doubles combination of R. Satwiksairaj and Chirag Shetty outslugged third-seeded Indonesian pair of Akbar Bintang Cahyono and Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani for a 21-16, 21-14 win to ensure a delightful start for the hosts.
Mixed pair falters
However, the premier mixed doubles combine of Pranaav J. Chopra and N. Sikki Reddy, which showed great grit and determination in the final moments saving three match-points from the Indonesian combine of Cayhono and Winny Oktavina Kandow, faltered in the dying moments of the match.
Sikki Reddy, who was brilliant right through the match with her superb backhands and great opportunism at the net, faltered when it mattered most. She hit her dab into the net and then failed to connect an overhead smash with the scoreline reading 23-all in the decider.
In the women’s singles final, Kim Ga Eun of Korea shocked fourth-seeded Deng Joy Xuan of Hong Kong 21-9, 18-21, 21-17 in the 52-minute final.
The results (finals):
Men: Sameer Verma (Ind) bt Soong Joo Ven (Mas) 21-15, 21-18. Doubles: R. Satwiksairaj &Chirag Shetty (Ind) bt Akbar Bintang Cahyono & Moh Reza Isfahani (Ina) 21-16, 21-14.
Women: Kim Ga Eun (Kor) bt Deng Joy Xuan (Hkg) 21-9, 18-21, 21-17. Doubles: Ng Tsz Yau & Yuen Sin Ying (Hkg) bt Vivian Hoo & Yap Cheng Wen (Mas) 21-18, 16-21, 21-14.
Mixed doubles: Akbar Bintang Cahyono & Winny Oktavina Kandow (Ina) bt Pranaav J. Chopra & N. Sikki Reddy (Ind) 15-21, 21-19, 25-23.
