Wang Zhi Yi authored the biggest result of her young career, beating world champion Akane Yamaguchi for the Badminton Asia Championships 2022 crown on Sunday.
In a dramatic final game today, Wang was running away with the match at 17-6 before Yamaguchi staged a spectacular comeback, winning 13 of the next 15 points to level at 19. Wang regrouped in the nick of time and shot ahead in the next two rallies to take the match 15-21 21-13 21-19.
Lee Zii Jia after beating Jonatan Christie.It was also one of Lee Zii Jia’s biggest moments as he became the first Malaysian since Lee Chong Wei in 2016 to win the title. His opponent Jonatan Christie had a 4-1 record over him, but Lee snatched the first game 21-17 and overcame two of Christie’s game points in the second to clinch the win in straight games, 21-17 23-21.
Indonesian Sensation
Alongside Wang Zhi Yi’s victory, men’s doubles provided an equally sensational result with Indonesia’s Pramudya Kusumawardana/Yeremia Erich Yoche Yacob Rambitan shutting out Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik in straight games, 23-21 21-10, to become the first Indonesian men’s doubles pair since Markis Kido/Hendra Setiawan in 2009 to win the title.
Yeremia Erich Yoche Yacob Rambitana and Pramudya Kusumawardana.
No Stopping Chen/Jia
World champions Chen Qing Chen/Jia Yi Fan brooked no resistance from Japan’s Rin Iwanaga/Kie Nakanishi as they stormed to victory in 44 minutes, 21-11 21-15.
In the only all-China battle of the day, Zheng Si Wei/Huang Ya Qiong got the better of Wang Yi Lyu/Huang Dong Ping after two straight losses, including at the Tokyo 2020 final. The two-time world champions beat the Olympic champions 21-17 21-8.
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