The 37th edition of the Thailand Open concluded today at Bangkok’s Nimibutr Stadium, delivering a week of exhilarating badminton action. The most prestigious event in Thailand is a BWF World Tour 500 tournament, a chance to inspire the Thai badminton community. The tournament featured top-tier talent competing for a share of the $475,000 prize pool.
Mixed Doubles: Chinese Pair Clinches Victory
Mixed doubles is currently dominated by Chinese pairs, with three pairs in the top 10, holding first and second places. So it is no surprise the Chinese pairs once again performed well. Second seeds Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping of China faced off against compatriots Gao Jiaxuan and Wu Mengying in the final on Sunday.
Both pairs came through the draw in good form, only dropping one set each. It was always going to be a tight match as teammates. The second seeds Feng and Huang showcased their superior strategy and experience to overcome a nail-biting first set 24-22 and close out the match 21-16. Can anyone break the Chinese grip on mixed doubles?
Women’s Singles: Chinese glory in Queen ASY’s absence.
Thailand had one of their own in the Women’s singles final. Pornpawee Chochuwong took on China’s Chen Yufei. Chochuwong was first seed at the 500 event with what turned out to be a simple route to the final. Only Yeo Jia Min of Singapore put up a fight to stop her but ultimately failed. Chen Yufei was the second seed and lived up to her seeding. She breezed through the competition from the first round to the final. She looked assured, healthy and focused leaving no surprise that she made it to Sunday.
The Home crowd was hoping to see one of their own lift a trophy but they were ultimately let disappointed. Chen Yufei once again took control of the match and swept Chochuwong aside in straight games, 21–16, 21–12; as she did with all her other rivals. A real statement from Chen, who will be looking to knock An Se Young off her podium in the upcoming tour event.
A special mention for the depth of Thai women’s singles currently. In the quarter finals of the tournament, Thailand had 5 players competing! That is seriously impressive, and we have already mentioned earlier this season Thailand has 3 players in the top 10, 4 in the top 12!
Women’s Doubles: Performing for a contract!
In women’s doubles, Malaysia’s Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan met South Korea’s Jeong Na-eun and Lee Yeon-woo in the final. The first seed Malaysians have been under pressure of late due to their contract stalemate with BAM. Perhaps this uncertain situation is the motivation they need, as they have already claimed two podium finishes this year so far. Their tournament went to plan on the whole, straight set victories against Chen and Wang of China followed by Hirokami and Hobara of Japan to reach the final.
The Korean counterparts were equally calm and ruthless in Bangkok. A new Korean pairing as part of the doubles reshuffle at BKF, they are ranked at 105! The South Koreans blazed through the draw taking out the second seeds from Indonesia with ease 21-13 21-8. The pair seemed confident and well prepared for this event, not dropping a set all the way to the final.
The final showdown on Sunday was interesting but didn’t produce the fireworks many would have hoped for. The Malaysian favourites made short work of the Koreans 21–16, 21–17. The Malaysian girls making a statement to BAM about their contracts!
Men’s Doubles: Malaysian madness for the second seeds!
The men’s doubles was a fast-paced affair all week. The hometown pairs let down the home fans with Kedren and Puavaranukroh the last standing being taken out in the semi-final by their Malaysian counterparts. Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik were the second seeds in Bangkok. That didn’t deter plucky French pair Maio and Villeger, who pushed them to 3 sets but ultimately fell to the Malaysians. From that point the Malaysians were focused and dangerous playing some great rallies, not dropping another set to make it to the final.
Danish pair Boe and Kjaer met the Malaysians in the final after surprising everyone at the Thai event. The world-ranked 75th doubles pair turned up at the tournament without any spotlight. It has to be said that they have not had any significant results in the last year, resulting in their low ranking. The pair seemed self-assured and confident throughout the rounds. The only stumble came against MAN and TEE of Malaysia in the second round, but they were able to slip past them in a tight match.
The Malaysian duo of Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik emerged victorious in the final. They battled past the Danes in a three-game thriller, finishing 20–22, 21–17, 21–12. The experience and pedigree of the Malaysians ultimately held true in the important moments, allowing them to claim the title!
Men’s Singles: Kunlavut Vitidsarn Secures Home Victory
In the premier event of the tournament, the men’s singles final had the crowd on their feet. Hometown hero, Olympic Silver medallist and reigning world champion, Thailand’s own Kunlavut Vitidsarn, took on Danish star Anders Antonsen. Kunvalut had a simple journey to the final, only being pushed to 3 sets by Hong Kong’s Ng KA Long Angus. Anders was pushed twice to 3 sets before the final, Wang Tzu Wei of Taiwan in the first round and Lu Guang zu in teh semi final.
In a compelling final, Vitidsarn defeated Denmark’s Anders Antonsen with scores of 21–16, 17–21, 21–9, showcasing resilience and skill to secure the championship. Vitidsarn is making his claim for the number 1 spot with his 3rd title of the year. Antonsen could have been affected by the gruelling semi final with his Chinese rival but he can still be proud of his performance over the week.
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