An Se-young, Akane Yamaguchi claim singles titles at China Open

CHANGZHOU: South Korean standout An Se-young defeated Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi to take the women’s singles crown at the Badminton China Open here on Sunday, while world No. 1 Viktor Axelsen of Denmark clinched the men’s singles gold by overcoming China’s Lu Guangzu.

An, the newly-crowned world champion, dominated second-seeded Yamaguchi 21-10 in the first game and took the second 21-19, wrapping up the victory in just 38 minutes.

Thus, An has secured her ninth title this season. “If someone said now is my prime, I would be a little bit sad,” said An. “I am very young, there is still a lot of time for me to do more things. I prefer to describe it as a period of my good form and good games,” the 21-year-old added.

Against Lu who has surprised fellow countrymen Li Shifeng and Shi Yuqi in earlier rounds, Axelsen demonstrated his prowess with a 21-16, 21-19 victory in 49 minutes. “I was surprised in the second game because Lu played very well in attack. However, I was pleased that my defense was also getting better,” said the Danish star.

In the men’s doubles final, China’s Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang bested fourth-seeded Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik of Malaysia 21-12, 21-14.

For the women’s doubles final, world No. 1 duo Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan of China clinched a 21-11, 21-17 victory over the South Korean team of Baek Ha-na and Lee So-hee.

Earlier on Sunday, Seo Seung-jae and Chae Yu-jung of South Korea outperformed French pair Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue 21-19, 21-12, securing the mixed doubles title. Agencies

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