Unseeded Sourabh Verma missed a chance to script a new chapter in Indian badminton history when he lost to Indonesia's Taufik Hidayat in the men's singles final of the Syed Modi Memorial India Open Grand Prix Gold Badminton Championship.
The 20-year-old was at his best at the UP Badminton Academy, but world No 12 Hidayat asserted his class and won 21-15, 21-17. In the second game, Verma had a chance when he took a four-point lead, 15-11, in the second game, but two back-to-back unforced errors allowed Hidayat to reduce the margin and race to 20-18. Verma sent a powerful return outside the backcourt to bring the curtains down on the 46-minute encounter.
“It was a great experience to play against a player like Taufik. I could have done better had I been more positive in my finishes,” said Sourabh after collecting the runner-up cheque of $4,560.
Hidayat was impressed by his rival. “Though there were ups and down, I maintained my rhythm. I always wanted to win this event to boost my confidence,” he said, richer by $9,000.
{{/usCountry}}Hidayat was impressed by his rival. “Though there were ups and down, I maintained my rhythm. I always wanted to win this event to boost my confidence,” he said, richer by $9,000.
{{/usCountry}}Final Results
Men's singles: Taufik Hidayat (INA) bt Sourabh Verma (IND) 21-15, 21-17.
Men's doubles: N Kawamae/S Sato (JPN) bt A Adistia/ C Rusdianto (INA) 21-17, 12-21, 23-21.
Women's singles: Inthanon Ratchanok (THA) w/o Porntip Buranaprasertsuk (THA).
Women's doubles: Shinta Mulia Sari/Lei Yao (SIN) bt Miyuki Maeda/ Satoko Suetsuna (JPN) 21-17, 21-18. Mixed doubles: Prapakamol/S Thoungthongkam (THA) bt M Rijal-D Susanto (INA) 16-21, 21-18, 21-11.