Wednesday, 4 Dec 2024

BWF News

The BCA Indonesia Open 2017 finals showcased the inspiring stories of four talented players who have fought their way to redemption. The men’s singles final featured Kidambi Srikanth, a former world No.3 who made a remarkable comeback after a six-month injury lay-off and disappointing home crowd performance. His opponent, Kazumasa Sakai, an underdog who emerged from the qualifying rounds, has spent most of his career competing in lower-level tournaments.

In the women’s singles final, Sung Ji Hyun, one of the tour’s most consistent performers, faced off against Sayaka Sato, an athlete who overcame a devastating knee injury that forced her to take a significant break from badminton. Sung, who has reached the semi-finals of all five Superseries events this season, has often been overshadowed by top players such as Li Xuerui, Wang Shixian, and Wang Yihan, as well as emerging stars like Tai Tzu Ying, Carolina Marin, Pusarla V Sindhu, and Ratchanok Intanon.

Sato’s journey resonates deeply. After her knee injury during the London 2012 Olympics, she dropped from being ranked 16th in the world to outside the top 200. Starting from scratch, she had to adapt her playing style while her junior teammates garnered attention and success.

In an exciting turn of events, Sato overcame Thailand’s Nitchaon Jindapol in a hard-fought battle, coming from a game down to win 13-21, 21-18, 21-14. Her victory secured Japan’s representation in both singles finals. Reflecting on her journey, Sato expressed her motivation to come back after seeing other players succeed and the rigorous rehab and exercises she endured.

Tham Khảo Thêm:  BWF News

Sung Ji Hyun, who defeated Beiwen Zhang 21-10, 8-21, 21-10, could not contain her elation after finally breaking through to the final after multiple semi-final disappointments. She recognized the challenge posed by Sayaka Sato’s coverage of the court and emphasized the need to focus on every point in the upcoming match.

Kidambi Srikanth, after defeating world No.1 Son Wan Ho in a thrilling semi-final match, reached his second consecutive World Superseries final. Srikanth, who finished as the runner-up in Singapore earlier, expressed his shock at reaching back-to-back finals after a difficult comeback from injury. He acknowledged the closeness of the match, saving a match point and capitalizing on his opponent’s vulnerability to secure the win. Srikanth celebrated this milestone in his journey and eagerly awaited the opportunity to make amends in the final.

The men’s singles final will be a historic clash between Srikanth and Sakai, marking their first-ever meeting. Sakai, who denied HS Prannoy the chance to face his training partner Srikanth in the final, emerged victorious after a grueling match that saw him save five match points. With this achievement, Sakai is primed for the biggest success of his career if he can triumph in the final.

FAQs

  • Q: Who are the finalists in the BCA Indonesia Open 2017?

    • A: The men’s singles final features Kidambi Srikanth and Kazumasa Sakai, while the women’s singles final showcases Sung Ji Hyun and Sayaka Sato.
  • Q: What challenges did Sayaka Sato overcome in her badminton career?

    • A: Sayaka Sato faced a significant setback due to a knee injury during the London 2012 Olympics. She dropped in rankings and had to start from scratch, adapting her playing style to regain her form.
  • Q: How did Kidambi Srikanth reach the men’s singles final?

    • A: Kidambi Srikanth fought his way to the final by defeating Son Wan Ho, the world No.1, in a thrilling semi-final match. Srikanth saved a match point and seized the opportunity to secure his place in the final.
Tham Khảo Thêm:  BWF News

Conclusion

The BCA Indonesia Open 2017 has provided a platform for redemption and triumph for several players. Kidambi Srikanth, Kazumasa Sakai, Sung Ji Hyun, and Sayaka Sato have overcome various challenges to reach the finals and showcase their skills on the badminton court. The upcoming clashes promise to be intense and thrilling, as these players aim to etch their names in badminton history. Stay tuned for the exciting conclusion of the BCA Indonesia Open 2017.