Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn stunned world no.1 Viktor Axelsen in the summit clash to clinch the India Open title on Sunday (January 22).
Kunlavut saw off two-time world champions Axelson 22-20, 10-21, 21-12 in the men's singles tie in 64 minutes to claim his maiden Super 750 tournament title. Meanwhile Korea's An Seyoung saw off world No. 1 Yamaguchi 15-21 21-16 21-12 in the women's singles summit showdown to taste the glory.
Also, World No. 11 Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang came out as the winners in men's doubles after seeing off star Malaysian third seeds Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik 14-21 21-19 21-18 in the final for their second World Tour title following the triumph at Japan Open last year.
Vitidsarn, seeded eighth, proved his semi-final victory over Anthony Sinisuka Ginting of Indonesia was not a flash in the pan as he made Axelsen work for every point and won most of the long rallies.
Vitidsarn, seeded eighth, proved his semi-final victory over Anthony Sinisuka Ginting of Indonesia was not a flash in the pan as he made Axelsen work for every point and won most of the long rallies.
"From my earlier losses against Viktor, I had learnt that if I could engage him in long rallies and take the match to the decider then I have a chance to win," said Vitidsarn, who lost the World Championships final to Axelsen last year.
"The plan was adapting as we played along. I played without much pressure but the main plan was to attack. I gave it whatever I had."
Axelsen, who won the Malaysia open title, bounced back after a close opening game but Vitidsarn kept his calm to win his first major Super Series crown since he won the German Open (Super 300) last year.
The 29-year-old Axelsen urged sports officials to keep players' health in mind when scheduling back-to-back tournaments in different time zones.
An bounced back from a game down to beat Yamaguchi 15-21, 21-16, 21-12 in a 62-minute battle of the Super 750 event.
Yamaguchi, who was the top seed and had beaten An in Kuala Lumpur last Sunday, conceded she made too many errors.
