The finals day of the Austrian Open in the Wiener “Stadthalle” saw three European participants fighting for the titles and a show match between 5-time European Champion Peter Gade and Austria's Michael Lahnsteiner. However, in the end all champions of the International Challenge tournament (15.000 Dollars) in the Austrian capital are coming from Asia - three from Indonesia and two from Hong Kong.
In the men's singles category, top seed Ng Ka Long Angus of Hong Kong beat Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin (MAS) 14:21, 21:18 and 21:19. When the score was 19:20, Zainuddin got a red card due to ignoring the umpire.
In the women's singles finals, unseeded Cheung Ngan Yi (HKG) won against the number two of the tournament Linda Zetchiri of Bulgaria 21:16 and 21:8.
In the men's doubles, Indonesian duo of Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto [8] thanks to a 23:21, 12:21 and 21:19 victory over Peter Briggs and Tom Wolfenden (ENG) prevented a European triumph at this year's Austrian Open.
In the women's doubles Indonesia was successful again. Suci Rizky Andini and Maretha Dea Giovani (INA) won against the English pairing Heather Olver and Lauren Smith 21:14 and 23:21.
The mixed doubles final was an all-Indonesian affair as Edi Subaktiar and Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja [3] beat Ronald Alexander and Melati Daeva Oktaviani in three close games 15:21, 22:20, 21:18.
Click here for the finals results.
Audience celebrate Peter Gade and Michael Lahnsteiner
Alongside the finals of the Austrian Open, an exhibition between the former world number one Peter Gade from Denmark and former Austrian number one Michael Lahnsteiner took place. The large crowd was fascinated. With this match the Austrian finished his international badminton career. Gade won 11:4, 11:10, 9:11 and 11:10. “Even if it was only an exhibition, we both tried to show that we will do our best”, says Gade.
Click here for photos of the tournament.
“Peter Gade has always been my idol. When I started playing badminton, he was the one, you had to know. It's great to finish my career by playing Peter”, Says Lahnsteiner.