Antonsen wins first Indonesia Open crown
JAKARTA: Badminton world number three Anders Antonsen clinched his first Indonesia Open title on Sunday after beating Chou Tien-chen of Taiwan, while South Korea's An Se-young won her second championship in Jakarta. The 28-year-old Dane sank world number seven Chou at the Indonesian capital's Istora Senayan arena, winning 22-20, 21-14 in a 60-minute match to secure the prestigious Super 1000 event. Antonsen came out on top in a tightly contested first game before cruising to victory in the second. The Danish shuttler said he was thrilled to win the Indonesia Open title but declared he was "hungry for more" trophies. "I'm winning a Super 1000, one of the absolute biggest tournaments of the year," Antonsen told reporters.
Denmark's Anders Antonsen celebrates on the podium. — Reuters
"It's incredible. I'm so grateful for how this place has changed my life many, many times." In a more closely fought women's singles final, South Korean ace and world number one An fought back from one game down to beat China's Wang Zhi Yi in three games. She beat her Chinese rival 13-21, 21-19, 21-15 in 81 minutes. An, the 2024 Olympic gold medallist, said she was "happy" to win another Indonesia Open title after securing her first in 2021. "It was a weird game, a difficult game. But fortunately, I can find my own confidence and never gave up," An told reporters through an interpreter. French mixed doubles pair Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue triumphed against Thailand's Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran. The pair, ranked 10th in the world, beat the sixth-ranked Thai pair 21-16, 21-18 in a 48-minute match, securing France's first Super 1000 title. — AFP
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
8 hours ago
- Observer
Antonsen wins first Indonesia Open crown
JAKARTA: Badminton world number three Anders Antonsen clinched his first Indonesia Open title on Sunday after beating Chou Tien-chen of Taiwan, while South Korea's An Se-young won her second championship in Jakarta. The 28-year-old Dane sank world number seven Chou at the Indonesian capital's Istora Senayan arena, winning 22-20, 21-14 in a 60-minute match to secure the prestigious Super 1000 event. Antonsen came out on top in a tightly contested first game before cruising to victory in the second. The Danish shuttler said he was thrilled to win the Indonesia Open title but declared he was "hungry for more" trophies. "I'm winning a Super 1000, one of the absolute biggest tournaments of the year," Antonsen told reporters. Denmark's Anders Antonsen celebrates on the podium. — Reuters "It's incredible. I'm so grateful for how this place has changed my life many, many times." In a more closely fought women's singles final, South Korean ace and world number one An fought back from one game down to beat China's Wang Zhi Yi in three games. She beat her Chinese rival 13-21, 21-19, 21-15 in 81 minutes. An, the 2024 Olympic gold medallist, said she was "happy" to win another Indonesia Open title after securing her first in 2021. "It was a weird game, a difficult game. But fortunately, I can find my own confidence and never gave up," An told reporters through an interpreter. French mixed doubles pair Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue triumphed against Thailand's Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran. The pair, ranked 10th in the world, beat the sixth-ranked Thai pair 21-16, 21-18 in a 48-minute match, securing France's first Super 1000 title. — AFP
Observer
8 hours ago
- Observer
Fox win PGA Canadian Open
MONTREAL: New Zealand's Ryan Fox birdied the fourth playoff hole to defeat American Sam Burns on Sunday and win the US PGA Tour's Canadian Open for his second triumph in five weeks. The 38-year-old Kiwi hit a 3-wood from the fairway to eight feet and two-putted for victory when Burns lipped out an 11-foot birdie putt on their fifth playing of the par-five 18th, counting their regulation birdies in Sunday's final round. "Probably the greatest shot I've ever hit considering the circumstances," Fox said of his second shot on the last extra hole. "To be honest, Sam and I had a bit of a pillow fight there for three holes. It was some average golf from both of us, some average putting. "But that shot I hit on 18, that 3-wood, was probably the best shot I've ever hit. Would have been nice to make it but hey I'll take it." Fox became the first New Zealand golfer to win two PGA Tour titles in one year after taking his first at last month's Myrtle Beach Classic. Taiwan's Kevin Yu was third on 263 with Americans Cameron Young and Matt McCarty sharing fourth on 264. Burns and Fox each finished 72 holes on 18-under par 262 at TPC Toronto Osprey Valley. Burns fired an eight-under 62, his second-lowest career round, while Fox shot a 66, his closing birdie from just inside 17 feet forcing the playoff. Both Fox and Burns laid up and made routine pars in the first three holes of the playoff, Burns missing a six-foot putt for the win on the first extra hole. In a pre-planned move, officials changed the hole location before the third extra hole and still they were tied. The drama went to the fourth playoff hole when Fox blasted his second shot on the green to eight feet. The triumph came with the New Zealand football team watching after a match the night before in Toronto. — AFP
Observer
a day ago
- Observer
Italy sack Spalletti after Norway defeat
MILAN: Luciano Spalletti has been sacked from his role as Italy's coach, the manager said on Sunday, following their heavy loss to Norway, but will take charge of Monday's game against Moldova. Spalletti made the announcement at a press conference after Norway stunned Italy with a 3-0 win on Friday, handing the visitors a humiliating start to their World Cup qualifying campaign. "Last night we were together with (Italian football federation) president (Gabriele) Gravina. He told me that I will be relieved of my position as coach of the national team," Spalletti said. "I had no intention of giving up. I would have preferred to stay in my place and continue doing my job. I'll be there tomorrow evening against Moldova, then we'll resolve the contract." Spalletti's dismissal comes after less than two years in the role, having replaced Roberto Mancini and taking charge in September 2023. While Spalletti took Italy to Euro 2024, their disappointing performance there had already put the manager under pressure. Italy went into the Euros last year in Germany as defending champions but after winning their opening game against Albania, they lost to Spain and snatched a late draw with Croatia to make the last 16 where they were beaten 2-0 by Switzerland. Spalletti's side seemed to have recovered as they put in an impressive Nations League campaign, beating France 3-1 away and losing just once. They lost at home to the French in the final group game to finish behind France on goal difference. Italy began this year with a 2-1 loss at the San Siro in their Nations League quarter-final first leg with Germany and found themselves 3-0 down at halftime in the return game in Dortmund. Spalletti's side came back to salvage a draw but missed out on a semi-final place and when they fell 3-0 behind at the break against Norway, this time Italy had no reply. The loss left Spalletti's side already facing an uphill battle to secure automatic qualification for next year's World Cup, and after Italy missed out on the last two finals, the Italian football federation (FIGC) decided to act. — Reuters
