Martin, Gade Christensen retain Korea Open crowns
Martin, Gade Christensen retain Korea Open crowns
JAKARTA (JP): Women's and men's singles defending champions Camilla Martin and Peter Gade Christensen fulfilled their ambitions to retain titles together at the US$250,000 Samsung Korea Open badminton championships in Hanra Gymnasium at Cheju Island, South Korea, on Sunday.
Top seed Martin had to expend a lot of energy before securing a narrow victory over host player Kim Ji-hyun, ending the Korean's dream of grabbing the title in her last match before her supporters.
Martin, the world champion and 2000 Sydney Olympic silver medalist, won the first game easily 11-7 but lost the second game 8-11.
Kim was only one point away from victory as she led 10-1 in the do-or-die decider. But Martin, thanks to her experience, managed to crawl back to take over the lead 13-10 and the $17,250 prize money.
"I wasn't feeling very well today. My throat hurt and I wasn't 100 percent. I should have finished in the second game " said Martin, as quoted by Sportalasia.com.
"I tried to kill the points too quickly in the third game. I should have taken my time," regretful Kim said with tears on her cheeks.
Gade Christensen, top seed and the favorite, barely broke a sweat overcoming young Chinese shuttler, Xiao Hui, 15-7, 15-6.
The tall Danish player gave Xiao no chance. He controlled the game from the very start despite some good shots from the Chinese.
"I think he was surprised by the speed of my game, so I was able to put pressure on him. But I think that he will be a good opponent after he plays more matches at this level as he is still quite inexperienced," said the Dane.
Reuters reported in the mixed doubles, South Koreans Kim Dong- moon and Ra Kyung-min, 1999 and 2000 Open champions, demolished Sydney Olympic gold medalists Zhang Jun and Gao Ling of China 15- 8, 15-11.
Kim Dong-moon also won the men's doubles, helping Ha Tae-kwon to defeat compatriots Lee Dong-soo and Yoo Yong-sung 15-9, 15-4.
China's Huang Nanyan and Yang Wei beat South Koreans Ra Kyung- min and Kim Kyeung-ran 15-13, 15-10 in the women's doubles final. (yan)