Hanoi: World No. 26 Kento Momota of Japan marked his impending return to the top of the world rankings by beating World No. 93 Goh Giap Chin 21-9, 21-15 of Malaysia in the Vietnam International Challenge final on Sunday.
Goh Giap Chin who is currently playing for Malaysia’s New Vision Badminton Academy badminton club, had a strong run in Hanoi heading into the final. He needed two three-setters to defeat Wisnu Yuli Prasetyo of Indonesia in the quarter-finals, and compatriot Chong Yee Han on Saturday before facing Kento Momota in the final.
In men’s doubles, Malaysia’s Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik also conceded to the Thailand pair Maneepong Jongjit/Nanthakarn Yordphaisong 18-21, 14-21 in the final. This was the Malaysian pair’s second defeat to the Thai pair, after losing to them in the 2017 India International Challenge final.
The spirited Malaysian women’s doubles scratch pair Vivian Hoo/Chow Mei Kuan went down fighting against No. 2 seeds Baek Ha Na/Lee Yu Rim of Korea in the final on Sunday. Hoo/Chow were paired up after their regular partners Woon Khe Wei and Lee Meng Yean had suffered injury respectively. After the defeat, Vivian Hoo told reporters that she vowed to bounce back stronger at the Commonwealth Games.
“The Korean pair played great defense, but I am disappointed with the result. The positive side from this defeat was we knew what we need to work on before the Goal Coast Commonwealth Games in April,” said Hoo.
“We will not compete in any tournaments after this, therefore, we need to make drastic improvement quickly,” added Hoo.
Earlier Sunday, No. 3 seed Dinar Dyah Ayustine of Indonesia outlasted unseeded Asuka Takahashi of Japan 13-21, 21-16, 21-14 to clinch the women’s singles title.
Mixed doubles No. 4 seeds Do Tuan Duc/Pham Nhu Thao of Vietnam gave the home crowd something to cheer about as they won a hard-fought battle against No. 2 seeds Evgenij Dremin/Evgenia Dimova of Russia 20-22, 24-22, 21-15 to keep the mixed doubles title at home.
