New Delhi: World No. 1 An Se Young continued her imperious form, while Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie showcased trademark resilience as the duo advanced to the women’s and men’s singles finals respectively at the USD 950,000 India Open Super 750 tournament on Saturday.
Top seed and defending champion An Se Young was in complete command in the women’s singles semifinals, brushing aside former world champion Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand 21-11, 21-7. The South Korean star has been in sensational form, having already claimed 11 titles this season, including last week’s Malaysia Open Super 1000 crown.
“Every match is a new feeling. I feel pressure, but I try not to think about it. I just focus on my game and try my best on the day,” An said after her emphatic win.
Final showdown against Wang Zhiyi
An Se Young will face China’s world No. 2 Wang Zhiyi in Sunday’s final. Wang edged past compatriot and Tokyo Olympic champion Chen Yu Fei in a tightly contested semifinal, winning 21-15, 23-21.
“I am looking forward to the final. I think tomorrow is Wang Zi. I will try my best,” An added.
Christie fights back to reach men’s final
In the men’s singles semifinals, third seed Jonatan Christie overcame a strong challenge from Singapore’s former world champion Loh Kean Yew, winning 21-18, 22-20 in a 46-minute battle.
Christie, who turned independent after leaving Indonesia’s national training centre following last year’s Sudirman Cup, showed remarkable composure after falling behind early.
“I’m very happy. Loh is a very good player and he was playing really well. In the first game, he was already ahead by six or seven points. I just wanted to give my best in this match,” Christie said.
The world No. 4 Indonesian will face either Canada’s Viktor Lai or Chinese Taipei’s Lin Chun-Yi in the title clash.
Christie dominates Loh again
Loh stormed to an 11-5 lead in the opening game with aggressive shot-making, but Christie slowed the tempo, extended rallies, and capitalised on errors to claw back. Six consecutive points brought him level at 15-15 before he closed out the game with sharp net play and accurate down-the-line attacks.
The second game followed a similar script. Loh found his rhythm and surged ahead 17-13, but Christie raised his intensity at the crucial moments, saved a game point, and sealed the match on his second opportunity — extending his unbeaten record against Loh to 9-0.
Doubles action delivers surprises
In women’s doubles, Japan’s Yuki Fukushima and Mayu Matsumoto defeated second seeds Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan of Malaysia 21-16, 21-13.
In mixed doubles, third-seeded Thai pair Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran stunned top-seeded Chinese duo Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping, rallying from a game down to win 16-21, 21-19, 21-16.
Bird nest material halts play briefly
Play was briefly interrupted during the women’s doubles semifinal between top-seeded Chinese pair Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning and Korea’s Baek Ha Na and Lee So Hee after officials noticed debris on the court.
With Liu and Tan leading 6-3 in the opening game, the match was paused while the surface was inspected and cleaned. While players initially believed it was bird droppings, officials later clarified it was material from a bird’s nest. On resumption, the Chinese pair went on to win 21-12, 17-21, 21-14.
Venue concerns persist
The India Open, being staged at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium for the first time ahead of the World Championships in August, has faced criticism over air quality, extreme cold, hygiene issues, and the presence of stray animals inside the venue.
Earlier in the tournament, a men’s singles match involving HS Prannoy and Loh Kean Yew was halted twice due to bird droppings on the court.