LEE BRUSHED ASIDE AT THAILAND OPEN

Pressure takes toll as Hongkonger is ousted in just 38 minutes by world No 5 Vitidsarn Kunlavut

Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk-yiu lost in straight games to Vitidsarn Kunlavut at the Thailand Open yesterday, and said the pressure of being back in a final after four years took its toll.

The world No 17 was behind for almost the entire match as badminton fans cheered on the home favourite at the Indoor Stadium Huamark in Bangkok.

Facing the tournament’s second seed, the Hongkonger led only for some brief moments after taking the first point of the opening game. The second game was closer in the early stages, but Vitidsarn, who is a three-time junior world champion, pulled away when the score was tied 7-7

The 22-year-old Thai went on to seal the title with a 21-12, 21-10 win in 38 minutes, and improved his head-to-head record with Lee to three wins in as many meetings.

“It was my first final in a little more than three years,” Lee said. “I definitely wanted to win it.

“Perhaps that is why I felt some pressure and did not play to my best.

“I could have played better in the final but it is what it is, I still think this is not a bad result for me.”

The 26-year-old last reached a Badminton World Federation Super Series final in November 2019, when he won the Hong Kong Open.

“Reaching the final for the first time in over three years is a huge confidence boost for me, I hope to keep it going,” he said. “I still have to control my in-game emotions better because that is the only way for me to play to my standard in future competitions.”

Vitidsarn became only the fourth Thai man to win the tournament and enthusiastically thanked the ecstatic crowd, who were noisily behind him all the way.

“I am very happy today,” he said, adding that the energy in the stadium had helped him “focus on the game better”.

The world No 5, who beat topranked Viktor Axelson at the Indian Open in January, played a dominant first game and was troubled only briefly by an unsettled and uneven Lee.

The second game was opened by a beautiful feint from Vitidsarn, tumbling the shuttlecock over the net in a move that disoriented his opponent.

In the women’s singles, world No 2 An Se-young cruised past

China’s He Bingjiao, winning her fourth title of the year.

The 21-year-old South Korean came out roaring and was in knockout form throughout the 21-10, 21-19 victory in the Thai capital.

World No 5 He fought back in the second game – leading briefly by four points – which featured some brilliant net play from both players.

But she could not fend off a gloriously sure-footed performance from the South Korean.

He’s serve failed to clear the net on championship point, giving An her 15th title on the world tour.

The South Korean player is on a roll, having made the final of every tournament she has played this year and winning titles at the All England Open, India and Indonesia.

Following the Thailand Open, Lee and his teammates will fly to Singapore for another Super Series event, to be held from tomorrow to June 11.

Reaching the final for the first time in over three years is a huge confidence boost for me

LEE CHEUK-YIU