Sameer Verma stuns world No. 3 Jorgensen, in Hong Kong Open badminton final

Sameer Verma stunned world No 3 Jan O Jorgensen in straight games to storm into the final of the Hong Kong Open Super Series badminton tournament on Saturday. Verma upstated the Danish stalwart 21-19, 24-22 in an exciting match.

Sameer Verma, ranked a modest 43rd in the world, was facing Jorgensen for the first time, and the task was made even more difficult as the Dane was in super form after defeating Chinese world No 1 Chen Long in the China Open Super Series Premier tournament last week.

However, the Indian ran up a 7-2 lead, and although Jorgensen fought back with scores level at 14-all and 16-all, Verma converted a third game point. Jorgensen led 7-1 in the second game, but Verma narrowed it to 8-5. Still, Jorgensen held three game points, but Verma saved them before completing an emotional victory.

First Published: Nov 26, 2016 18:05 IST