# Doubles pair win their first Superseries title
# Thailand’s Tanongsak lands his first Superseries title in men’s singles
# Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi win’s the women’s singles
# Denmark end five year title drought to win mixed doubles
By Rizal Abdullah
After a couple of near misses Malaysia’s Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong finally landed their elusive Superseries title – although they made life difficult for themselves before winning the men’s doubles final in the USD700,000 Yonex Denmark Superseries Premier in Odense on Sunday.
The Olympic silver medallists were fully stretched but found the extra in them – thanks to their coolness in handling the situation before carving out a 14-21, 22-20, 21-19 over Thailand’s Bodin Isara-Nipitphon Phuangphuapet in a 61 minute thriller.
They were staring at defeat after trailing 16-19 in the second set but came off 22-20 winners to force a rubber after losing the first set 21-14.
They found the rhythm in the decider to put the pressure on their Thai opponents although the Malaysians dished out some erratic badminton.
Still it was a remarkable show from the Malaysians who did enough when it mattered most to curtail the aggressive Thais – who were hoping to make it a double for Thailand in Odense after Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk’s triumph in the men’s singles.
The Malaysians pocketed USD55,300 for their win while the losers took home USD26,600 for their efforts.
Tanongsak, who won the Thailand Open Gold Prix this year, also notched a first for himself in his 21-13, 23-21 win over Korea’s Son Wan-ho in 55 minutes – for his first Superseries title.
He dedicated his win to the late King Bhumibol and the people of Thailand who are mourning the death of the monarch who passed away on Oct 13.
“I am surprised by winning the Denmark Open. It means a lot to me because it is my first superseries title,” said Tanongsak live on television when interviewed after his win.
The unseeded Tanongsak also earned his biggest pay cheque in his badminton career – USD52,500 – which came with the title while Wan-ho settled for USD26,600 for his efforts.
It was also joy for Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi – who celebrated her back to back title after winning the Victor Korea Open last month. The Japanese defeated Taiwan’s No 8 seed Tai Tzu Ying 19-21, 21-14, 21-12 in the 58 minute final.
The 19-year-old Yamaguchi had knocked out Olympic and world champion Carolina Marin of Spain 21-15, 19-21, 21-18 in a marathon 82 minutes match.
Olympic champions and world No 1 Misaki Matsutomo-Ayaka Takahashi made it a a double for Japan when they came from a set down for a 19-21, 21-11, 21-16 win over second seeds Jung Kyung-eun-Shin Seung-chan of Korea in 68 minutes in the women’s doubles final.
Denmark ended a five year drought for a title in their home tournament through their mixed doubles pair Joachim Fischer Nielsen-Christinna Pedersen when the No 5 seeds beat China’s Zheng Siwei-Chen Qingchen a 21-16, 22-20 in the final.
The same pair were the winners in 2011
Semi-Final Results
Men’s singles
Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk (Tha) beat Son Wan-ho (Kor) 21-13, 23-21
Men’s doubles
Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong (Mas) beat Bodin Isara-Nipitphon Phuangphuapet (Tha) 14-21, 22-20, 21-19
Women’s singles
Akane Yamaguchi (Jpn) beat Tai Tzu Ying (Tpe) 19-21, 21-14, 21-12
Women’s doubles
Misaki Matsumoto-Ayaka Takahashi (Jpn) beat Jung Kyung-eun-Shin Seung-chan (Kor) 19-21, 21-11, 21-16
Mixed doubles
Joachim Fischer Nielsen-Christinna Pedersen (Den) beat Zheng Siwei-Chen Qingchen (Chn) 21-16, 22-20
