Hong Kong’s Lee brushed aside in Thailand Open final, says pressure meant he ‘did not play’ his best in lopsided loss
- Lee Chuek-yiu downed in straight games 21-12, 21-10 in just 38 minutes by Kunlavut Vitidsarn
- South Korea’s An Se-young cruises past China’s He Bingjiao to win her fourth title of the year
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Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk-yiu lost in straight games to Kunlavut Vitidsarn at the Thailand Open on Sunday, 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 champions, pulled away when the score was tied 7-7
The 22-year-old Thai went on to seal his title with a 21-12, 21-10 win in 38 minutes, and improved the 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 (BWF) 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 boast 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 number five, who beat top-ranked 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.
“I’m feeling ecstatic,” she told reporters after the match. “Winning another championship makes it feel like another fantastic day. It’s a significant milestone for me.”
Following the Thailand Open, Lee will stay in the region with his teammates as they fly to Singapore for another Super Series event, which will be held from June 6 to 11.
Lee, however, is facing a tough opponent in the first round of the men’s singles as he takes on former world champion Loh Kean Yew. Compatriot Angus Ng Ka-long will face Anthony Sinisuka Ginting of Indonesia.
Mixed doubles pair Tang Chun-man and Tse Ying-suet, meanwhile, will face fifth seeds Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue of France.
