Kunlavut Vitidsarn to top world ranking after making KFF Singapore Badminton Open final
SINGAPORE – A new men's singles world No. 1 is born in Singapore for the second year running, after Thailand's second-ranked Kunlavut Vitidsarn beat Taiwanese world No. 19 Lin Chun-yi 21-11, 25-23 in their semi-final at the US$1 million (S$1.29 million) KFF Singapore Badminton Open on May 31.
By reaching the final, where he will meet China's world No. 15 Lu Guangzu on June 1, the 24-year-old has earned enough ranking points to displace China's Shi Yuqi and become the first Thai to reach the top rung when the world rankings are next released on June 3.
Incidentally, Shi also rose to No. 1 for the first time after winning the 2024 KFF Singapore Badminton Open.
After punching the air and hugging his coach Patapol Ngernsrisuk, Kunlavut said: 'I saw on social media I could be world No. 1 if I won today, so I'm very happy I did it.
'I'm also happy because I have been a champion three times this year, and this is my fourth final. I still need to learn a lot before the (Aug 25-31) world championships, and my bigger goals are to win Olympic gold and the All England Open title.'
As the current world and Asian champion, the soft-spoken Thai is undoubtedly the in-form player in the men's singles field in Singapore, having won all his matches in straight games.
After taking the first game 21-11 against Lin, he met with more resistance as the southpaw Taiwanese upped the ante in the second game, when he threw himself in making diving saves, much to the delight of the 7,220-strong crowd.
After squandering a 18-15 lead, Lin saved three match points but missed his only one, before he played the shuttle into the net to hand Kunlavut a place in the final.
Kunlavut said about the match: 'It's difficult to control and defend against left-handed players. I have to focus, and remember how he likes to play. In this tournament, I have to attack first and take the initiative because the shuttle is very fast and difficult to play with the draught.
'The final will be another really tough match because there's no easy matches in the men's singles game. I will try to do my best and perform well in attack and defence.'
In the other semi-final, Lu beat 23rd-ranked Frenchman Christo Popov 21-15, 8-21, 21-15 as he hunts for his fourth career title.
The 28-year-old Chinese player said of the final: 'I wasn't able to compete against Kunlavut in the recent Asian championships final because I hurt my back and had to retire. He is in great form so it's going to be a tough match. I'm not going to think too much, and will give my best and fight for the win.'
Lu Guangzu is hunting for his fourth career title.
PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
The women's singles final will be an all-China affair featuring world No. 2 Wang Zhiyi and fifth-ranked Chen Yufei.
Tokyo 2020 Olympics champion Chen had to recover from a one-game deficit to beat world No. 4 Han Yue 12-21, 21-15, 21-12 and extend the unbeaten run against her compatriot to an astounding 10 matches.
The 27-year-old Chen , who lost to An Se-young in the 2024 final but beat the South Korean in the quarter-finals on May 30, said: 'I'm really happy because I honestly didn't expect to make it to the final here.
'After yesterday's win over (world No. 1) An Se-young, I was feeling quite drained in all aspects, so I couldn't get going in the first game. After that, I thought I did well to work my way back point by point and take down the match.'
She added: 'I wasn't in good condition, physically and mentally, prior to the Paris 2024 Olympics, and I think I'm 70 to 80 per cent there now. My mental state is in a better place, which helps make up for things if my physical condition is lacking.'
She will have a huge psychological advantage in the final as she holds a 9-1 head-to-head record against Wang, who held firm in her 21-12, 12-21, 21-17 win over Japan's world No. 3 Akane Yamaguchi.
The decider was an especially gripping affair as Wang led 17-7, only for two-time world champion Yamaguchi to reel off nine straight points. The 25-year-old Chinese managed to calm her nerves to take four of the next five points to return to the final after losing at the last hurdle to India's P. V. Sindhu in 2022.
Wang, who is looking for a unique Causeway double after winning the Malaysia Masters in the previous week, said: 'My opponent never gave up and managed to catch up, but I'm really glad I was able to withstand the pressure at the crucial points.'
'Being able to make it to back-to-back finals is definitely an affirmation of my performance and a sign that I'm becoming more consistent. She (Chen) is in good form and I hope we can give everyone an exciting match,' added Wang.
There will also be new sets of first-time Singapore Open winners crowned in the doubles events.
The women's doubles final will be contested between Japan's world No. 6 Rin Iwanaga and Kie Nakanishi, and South Korea's world No. 8 Kim Hye-jeong and Kong Hee-yong.
In the mixed doubles, Hong Kong's world No. 3 Tang Chun Man and Tse Ying Suet will take on Thailand's eighth-ranked Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran, with only Dechapol having won the event in 2019 and 2022 with Sapsiree Taerattanachai.
David Lee is senior sports correspondent at The Straits Times focusing on aquatics, badminton, basketball, cue sports, football and table tennis.
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