Son Resurgent, Okuhara Triumphs In Hong Kong Open Final
Zeeshan Mehtab Published November 18, 2018 | 08:24 PM
Hong Kong, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Nov, 2018 ) :Son Wan-ho won his first tournament in two years Sunday after the 30-year-old snatched the Hong Kong Open from Japan's Kenta Nishimoto, whose teammate Nozomi Okuhara triumphed in the women's finals.
The Korean sixth seed, who stunned Japanese world number one Kento Momota in the semis, yielded 12 points in a row in the first game before finding his form after the first break to win 14-21, 21-17, 21-13 in 89 minutes.
Nishimoto kept up the energy but Son pulled away at 13-12 in the decider after the Japanese player knocked two shots into the net.
Son has now won five of the pair's seven encounters this year for his first tournament victory since his December 2016 homeground win.
"I feel very happy... in the second game I felt my opponent was very tired, so I needed to work then to get through the tough part (of the match)," he said.
In the women's finals, Okuhara said her victory over a determined Ratchanok Intanon was a massive confidence boost ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.
Both players were hungry for the win, drawing level 13 times in the second game before the sixth-ranked Okuhara beat the Thai, a former world champion, 21-19, 24-22 in 64 minutes.
"This match is very important for me," she told reporters.
Okuhara said she would spend the next year working to secure her place at next year's Olympics alongside world number two Akane Yamaguchi, who Intanon beat in three games in the quarter-finals.
"I and Akane will get a gold medal," she said.
"Of course." Sunday was Okuhara's last tournament before next month's World Tour finals in China.
Intanon had won four of their previous five match-ups and the respect between the players was palpable, with Okuhara sharing a long embrace in her opponent's court at the end of play.
"I feel like my performance at the moment is quite good," Intanon said.
"It was a tough game for me. It's not easy to beat her but I tried my best.
"She is a strong woman, she always plays long rallies and I tried to hold her and fight to the end." - Japan players determined - Japanese players made all five finals in Sunday's tournament, a feat Okuhara attributed to the determination of national head coach Park Joo-bong.
"(He) has kept motivating us," she said.
"Every player wants to be very strong. They're very hungry." In the women's doubles, top-ranked Yuki Fukushima and Sayaka Hirota beat Korean challengers Lee So-hee and Shin Seung-chan 21-18, 21-17.
Lee and Shin both fell on the court to save a long second-game rally to level at 15-all before conceding the next five points.
The Japanese duo are now 2-0 against Lee and Shin after their two-game victory in the Asian Games quarter-finals.
Yuta Watanabe and Arisa Higashino won 21-18, 21-14 in 46 minutes over their second-ranked Chinese opponents in the mixed doubles finals.
Takeshi Kamura and Keigo Sonoda take on the Indonesian top seeds in the men's in the day's final match.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
Nasreen Noori’s book ‘Popatan Jahra Khwab’ launched
Wafaqi Mohtasib inspection team visits Excise and taxation office
AJLAC announces 5th Conference titled ‘People’s Mandate: Safeguarding Civil ..
Pak-US officials engage to enhance trade, investment ties
IBCC to promote educational excellence, expand regional presence
Pakistani 'Blue Helmets' serving UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo set to leav ..
Putin says plans to visit China in May
More Stories From Sports
-
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
21 minutes ago -
National Hockey camp to be organized for Azlan Shah tournament
2 hours ago -
Islamabad Tennis Club demolished by CDA amid anti-encroachment action at public park: Tarar
4 hours ago -
Shayan, Rashid, Junaid to represent Pakistan in U12 Regional Qualifying Jrs
4 hours ago -
Olympic Games Paris 2024: How teams qualified
4 hours ago -
ICC T20 World Cup 2024 trophy unveiled in Islamabad
3 hours ago
-
Pakistan to tour New Zealand for 3 ODIs, 5 T20Is next March
4 hours ago -
Xavi and Barca remain tied in marriage of convenience
3 hours ago -
Pakistan Master Tenpin Bowling C'ship postponed
3 hours ago -
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results
3 hours ago -
1st-ever National Sports Revival conference starts next month
6 hours ago -
Usain Bolt named ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Ambassador
6 hours ago