Yonex Sunrise Badminton International Challenge ends with Indian flavor

It was the final day at the Sunrise International Badminton tournament at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium. There were altogether five matches for the day.

With the sports minister Hon Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Mr.Suraj Dandeniya, President of the Badminton Federation as well as distinguished guests in attendance it was by far the biggest crowd out of all five days gathered to cheer their favorite players.

The Indians were clearly the headline makers of this tournament as they were the dominant force in all segments and it was no surprise that every final had the participation of Indians.

The first game was the mixed doubles final and it was between the favorites and 4th seed Akshay Dewalkar and Pradnya Gadne from India vs Malaysia`s Vountus Indra Mawan and India`s Prajakta Sawant.

The Indian duo made a superb start to the game by taking the initiative and never looking back afterwards. On the other hand their opponents of an Indo-Malaysian pair were making too many mistakes and the Indians won the first game 21-16. The second game had some superb rallies from both sides and  it was evident that Malaysian- Indian duo improved their game very much in the second game.  But they were up against some superb individual display especially from Dewalkar whose defense and hard hitting was the difference at the end. The Indian duo always had the lead in the second game and continued their impressive display and deservingly won 21-18.

The next game was the women’s final between the 4th seed Jiayuan Chen from Singapore and India`s P.C Thulasi, who was the 6th seed. It was a good start from both players and there was nothing much to separate both as the scores were close as well. Chen got better as the first game came to its final points and her smart playing helped her to win a close game by 21-17. The second game was an interesting topsy – turvy encounter as Chen continued her good work in the first game by taking an 8-3 points lead as the 4th seed went on with her hard hitting shots and was too much for the Indian to cope up with. However after the in-between break in the second game, the tables turned for the Indian as she clearly changed her tactics and stormed ahead by winning the last 10 out of 15 points. Thulasi was able to win the big points as Chen`s impressive form was slowly deteriorating. Thulasi won the second game 21-15.

As the match went into a third decisive rubber it was a ding-dong battle between both players. It was evident that Chen was clearly frustrated with some of Thualsi`s tactics. Thualsi was taking a long time in between points and did not give a proper rhythm to Chen to play in the final game. Thulasi`s mind games also made Chen more frustrated. Chen was a shadow of her impressive first game and Thulasi kept fighting every point and did not give an inch for the 4th seed. Even though the umpire did warn her for time wasting  Thulasi`s tactics and mind games worked to perfection as she won third game  and  final 21-18 in a nail-biting finish.

The third game and match that everyone was looking forward to was the men`s final between the unseeded Hyun Il Lee from korea who took out the top seed Prannoy from India in the semi-final yesterday  and second seed Anand Pawar, who yesterday beat Dinuka Karunarathne in the other semi-final. This game was like a game of chess. Pawar started very aggressively and was pouncing on every opportunity and took an early lead. On the other hand lee was a bit cautious and played a safer game and just hung in every point. Although he went for his shots in the previous match, Lee clearly was playing a smarter game than his compatriot from India. Although Pawar powered himself by winning the first game 21-15 this match was far from over.

The second game started the same as the Indian was smashing and pouncing on every opportunity. The Korean waited for his chance to slowly claw back into the game. Lee came back swinging in the middle of the second game as he won six consecutive points to go ahead by 10-4. Both players standard of playing was impressive and even some of the rallies were breath taking. Lee changed his tactics and pattern of play and braced through the second game 21-10.

It was set up perfectly for a climax in the decisive third rubber as the momentum was clearly with Lee. Both players played some good points and also their errors slowly started creeping up especially to the Indian as he was clearly running out of gas as he was doing so much of the hard hitting in the first game. It was brilliant strategy from the Korean who let Indian do all the hard-hitting  in the first game and it was evident that the Indian could not match the same aggressiveness in the first game and that’s where the Korean took control of the game. But it was still nothing much to separate between both players as the Indian tried to turn up tempo in the third game, but he was tiring in the final points. Lee had a slender lead where he led 16-12. The Korean  played a good combination of drop shots and smashes. Pawar tried to make a comeback in the final third of the game but had too much to do. On the other hand Lee brought out his A game and played some incredible shots in the dying moments of the game to win a thrilling encounter 21-15.

The crowd was witness to an international standard quality of a game as they played their part by cheering both players who left it all out in the court and gave a match to remember to all those who were attended at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium. It was a superb display by both Pawar and Lee who brought out the best of each other at the finals.

Fourth match was the men’s doubles between the 2nd seed and Indian duo of Manu Attri and Sumeeth Reddy and they were up against the 5th seed and Singapore duo of Chayut Triyachart and Danny Bawa. This match was also one to remember for the crowd that was in attendance. The Singapore duo had a good lead throughout the first game and were brilliant in defence and attack. The Indians were to playing some good points but their counterparts were ruthless in their attack as they drew first blood by winning the first game 21-17.

The second game was a ding-dong battle. The Singapore duo were sublime against the Indians who had no answer throughout the game as the Singapore onslaught continued in the second game. The crowds were brought to their feet in most of the points as both set of players played some grueling rallies. The Singapore duo`s reflexes in defence were at times insane in some points as the crowd got their money’s worth in this final. Bawa and Chayut won five consecutive points to lead 16-10. However Reddy and Attri clawed back into the game  by winning the next eight points and scores were 19-19. But Bawa and Chayut fought back at the most crucial time by winning the next two points in sublime fashion to win 21-19.

The final match was the women’s doubles final. It was duo from India Pradnya & Gadre, who tasted victory in the mixed doubles final earlier and Siki & Reddy (who were the fourth seed) were up against the Thai duo Kilasu Ostermeyer and Phataimas Muenwong (who were the 3rd seed) the Thai duo out  played their opponents from the start by playing well and won the first game convincingly 21-14. The second game the Indians made a valiant effort but just fell short by losing a close game 21-17.

All in all this was a massive step taken by the Sri Lanka Badminton Federation as it hosted a first ever international tournament and it was a major success  as it that brought out talent all over the world and also importantly in our tiny island. This tournament would not have being possible without sponsors and and everyone who chipped in to make it a momentous occasion for Sri Lanka. This could be the stepping stone of big things to look forward to in the badminton arena in Sri Lanka. 

These were the complete results yesterday: