LONDON (Agencies): Indonesia has secured the men's singles title at the All England Open Badminton Championships as Anthony Sinisuka Ginting and Jonatan Christie both won the semifinals on Saturday.
Ginting, who toppled world No. 1 Viktor Axelsen of Denmark in the quarterfinals on Friday, came from behind to beat Frenchman Christo Popov 19-21, 21-5 and 21-11.
The 27-year-old told the Indonesian media: “Grateful and happy today, not only because of the win but being able to manage everything well on the court.
“Being able to maintain focus well from the start of the match to the end is important, too, because if you can play well and can solve all the problems, the chances of success are greater.”
Christie, who used to share a room with Ginting for six or seven years in their national team, also fought until the deciding set to see off India's Lakshya Sen 21-12, 10-21 and 21-15.
Despite the legendary Rudy Hartono holding the record for most All England men’s singles crowns – eight in total and seven in a row from 1968 to 1974 – Indonesia have not taken this prestigious title since Hariyanto Arbi won an all-Indonesian final against Ardy Bernardus Wiranata 30 years ago.
Having waited so long for an Indonesian men’s singles champion, the badminton-mad nation now has another all-Indonesian, All England final on March 17.
In the women's singles, Japanese ace Akane Yamaguchi set up a final clash against Spaniard Carolina Marin as the 2022 All-England champion defeated world No. 1 and defending champion An Se-young of South Korea 21-10, 19-21 and 21-14.
Marin, 30, will play her first All-England final in nine years after she beat third seed Tai Tzu-ying from Chinese Taipei 21-13 and 21-12. - Agencies
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