Calm and composed: Shi Yuqi of China wins the men's singles title in Denmark Open. - AFP
PETALING JAYA: A resurgent Shi Yuqi of China showed he is back in business.
The 26-year-old stayed sharp and played cleverly to beat Lee Zii Jia 21-18, 16-21, 21-12 in the men's singles final of the Denmark Open to win his first title in three years.
Life has been hard for the former All-England champion Yuqi since winning the Swiss Open in 2019.
He suffered a serious ankle injury during the 2019 Indonesian Open and had to forgo the remaining tournaments that year. He came back in 2020, but tournaments were suspended due to Covid-19 pandemic and last year, he was slapped with a one-year ban by China BA for conceding a walkover while trailing 20-22, 5-20 against Kento Momota during the Thomas Cup Finals tie against Japan.
His act was deemed unsporting.
That's why Yuqi was emotional after pulling off the win against Zii Jia in only his third tournament since the ban was lifted.
"I did not get to play here last year (due to the ban). I'm back after a long time and that's why I could not hold my tears. I'm excited with this win...I'm back," said Yuqi.
Asian champion Zii Jia took the defeat in his stride although he was unable to end a 10-year wait for the singles title in Denmark last won by Lee Chong Wei in 2012.
"I've tried my best today, I've to accept this defeat and stay focused for the next task at the French Open (starting on Tuesday)," he said.
"I was quite tired. He was tired too but he used his experience to handle the situation better.
"Overall, it's a good start for me, hopefully, I can maintain this form in the next two tournaments (French Open and Hylo Open)."
FINAL RESULTS
Men's singles: Shi Yuqi (Chn) bt Lee Zii Jia (Mas) 21-18, 16-21, 21-12.
Men's doubles: Fajar Alfian-Rian Ardianto (Ina) bt Marcus Fernaldi-Kevin Sanjaya (Ina) 21-19, 28-26.
Women's singles: He Bingjiao (Chn) bt Chen Yufei (Chn) 22-20, 12-21, 21-10.
Women's doubles: Chen Qingchen-Jia Yifan (Chn) bt Baek Ha-na-Lee So-hee (Kor) 21-12, 21-15.
Mixed doubles: Zheng Siwei-Huang Yaqiong (Chn) bt Feng Yanzhe-Huang Dongping (Chn) 21-19, 20-22, 21-19.
