2023 Thailand Open: Kunlavut Vitidsarn triumphs in home tournament as An Seyoung seals fourth season title
The Thai shuttler added a second men’s singles title to his record this year and is set to rise to number three in the world rankings next week.
Badminton
Kunlavut Vitidsarn secured the Thailand Open title for the first time in his career on Sunday (4 June), becoming the only men's singles player in the badminton World Tour to have won more than one tournament this year.
The Thai shuttler performed his trademark yoga celebration in front of a lively home crowd in Bangkok after defeating Lee Cheuk Yiu of Hong Kong in straight sets, completing the match in just 38 minutes (21-12, 21-10).
Vitisdarn, who claimed the Super 750 title at the India Open in January, is now the fourth male player from Thailand to win the home tournament, and the first since Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk in 2016. Thanks to this result, the 22-year-old is set to rise from number five to number three in the world rankings.
An Seyoung continued her impressive run of form this season in the women's singles final.
The 21-year-old from the Republic of South Korea defeated third seed He Bing Jiao in straight sets (21-10, 21-19) after 49 minutes of play.
This victory marked An's fourth title this year, following her previous triumphs at the India Open, Indonesia Masters, and All England Open. The Korean player also reached the finals at the Malaysia Open and German Open
There was more Korean success in the doubles finals: in the mixed doubles Kim Wonho and Jeong Naeun came back from a set down to secure an 11-21, 21-19, 22-20 win against local favourites and top-seeded pair Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai.
In the women's doubles, Kim Soyeong and Kong Heeyong comfortably claimed the title with a 21-13, 21-17 win over home finalists Benyapa Aimsaard and Nuntakarn Aimsaard.
The men's doubles title was claimed by Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang from the People's Republic of China, who defeated Indonesia's Muhammad Shohibul Fikri and Bagas Maulana in straight sets.