Anders Antonsen secured the Malaysia Open men’s singles title after the Danish star aced a one-sided contest against Shi Yu Qi, while An Se-young created history for South Korea in this 2024 season opener.
Antonsen was in his element against Shi, needing less than an hour to dispose of the lethargic Chinese 21-14, 21-13 to claim his first Super 1000 career title.
The world number nine was aggressive from the start against Shi, finding plenty of winners through his cross-court smashes for a comfortable opening game win.
It got better for him in the second, with Shi struggling with his fitness and gave away several easy points.
Antonsen, who slumped to court in celebration, said this was the biggest moment of his life.
“I’m still in shock. This victory will take a while to kick-in. I played the first game at a super high level and it was so important for me to claim this win.
“Shi had a late game yesterday against Viktor (Axelsen), where he also played late,” said Antonsen, who plans to celebrate with a big dinner.
An claimed the Malaysia Open women's singles title after coming from a game down to beat Chinese Taipei’s Tai Tzu-ying 10-21, 21-10, 21-18.
In doing so, she became the first South Korean women’s singles shuttler to win the Malaysia Open.
“I’m delighted to have created history, it’s a fantastic start to the New Year. My target is to now complete my recovery from my injuries,” said An, who played with a heavily strapped right knee.
Japan’s world number two pair Yuta Watanabe-Arisa Higashino won the mixed doubles title after they overcame South Korea’s Kim Won-ho-Jeong Na-eun 21-18, 21-15 in the first match of the day.
Liu Sheng Shu-Tan Ning triumphed in the all Chinese women’s doubles final after beating Zhang Shu Xian-Zheng Yu 21-18, 21-18.
China bagged a second title through men’s doubles Liang Wei Keng-Wang Chang, who came from a game down to beat Indian pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty 9-21, 21-18, 21-17.
