Finals day at the 2013 Yonex Dutch Open had a very Asian feel to proceedings. Indonesia had representation in four of the five finals but in the end the Asian countries divided the spoils with one win each leaving Europe without a medal for the first time since 1999.
Singapore got their challenge off to a good start in the mixed doubles as Danny Bawa Chrisnanta and Yu Yang Vanessa Neo repeated their All England win over their higher ranked opponents from Indonesia. World number six pairing Rijal & Susanto got off to a flying start and with a 15-8 lead looked to be heading to a first game win.
The pair from Singapore bounced back drawing five errors from Rijal at the net to miraculously level at 18-18. Rijal and Susanto looked shell-shocked and were unable to halt the onslaught by Chrisnanta & Neo who stole the opening game with a 21-19 win.
Rijal & Susanto steadied the ship in the second game in what proved to be a set of high quality shot making. At 19-19 both pairs traded points before yet another error from Rijal handed the victory to Neo & Chrisnanta who were overjoyed taking the top step of the podium.
World class Chinese warm up with win ahead of Denmark Open
Untested and untried Chinese women’s doubles pairing of Tang Jinhua and Bao Yixin proved that their future holds endless possibilities after a dominant display throughout the week at the Dutch Open.
The vastly experienced Chinese duo, fresh from distinguished careers with other partners, did not drop a set as they marched to the title in Almere. A 21-15 21-7 victory over Awanda & Haris from Indonesia was typical of their performance all week and their week in Almere will prove a good warm up for their assault on the Denmark open title next week.
Tiny Thai Takes Title
The diminutive figure of Busanan Ongbumrungpan continued her rise to stardom with an easy two game win in the women’s singles final over Gu Juan of Singapore. The Thai world number 19 blasted her way through the week without dropping a set and remarkably not dropping more than 13 points in any single game.
The old say of “big goods come in small parcels” certainly rings true for Busanan who packs a mighty punch in her right arm which left Gu Juan frustrated by her inability to find any answers to the Thai’s relentless attack.
Busanan strolled home to a 21-12 21-12 win and had the biggest smile in the arena climbing the top step of the podium.
In the men’s singles Nan Wei won the all Hong Kong battle against Chan Yan Kit and in the final match of the day fourth seeds Wahyu Nayaka Arya Pankaryanira & Ade Yusef claimed the men’s doubles title over compatriots Angriawan & Suwardi in three games.
The 2013 Yonex Dutch Open finals results:
XD: Chrisnanta/Neo (SIN) - Rijal/Susanto (INA) 21-19, 25-23
MS: Wei Nan (HKG) - Yan Kit Chan (HKG) -21-15, 21-18
WS: Busanan Ongbumrungpan (THA) - Juan Gu (SIN) 21-12, 21-12
WD: Tang/Bao (CHN) - Awanda/Haris (INA) 21-15, 21-17
MD: Pankaryanira/Yusuf (INA) - Angriawan/Suwardi (INA) 14-21, 21-18, 21-17
For podium photos and complete gallery from the Dutch Open click HERE
To view all the action from the finals on demand go to Badminton Europe’s YouTube channel by clicking HERE.
Badminton Europe’s next live action will come from the Scottish Open Grand Prix from 20-24th November at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow.
Article & Image by Mark Phelan (Live in Almere)
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