Five different countries topped the podium at the Korea Masters 2024, with singles winners Kunlavut Vitidsarn and Putri Kusuma Wardani claiming their season’s first title.

Vitidsarn finally added a gold medal to his resume since winning the World Championships over a year ago. The world champion held off the challenge of upcoming Chinese Wang Zheng Xing in a close match, 21-18 21-18, and acknowledged how important the victory was.

“Really happy because I hadn’t won a title this year,” said Vitidsarn. “This tournament is special and I need to keep it going. I still have an injury, but I could control it. I need points for the (HSBC BWF) World Tour Finals, and there are only two tournaments left.”

Wardani’s title drought stretched back even further, although the Indonesian has struck a great patch of form this year, with finals at the Taipei Open and the Hong Kong Open, besides finishing semifinalist at the Denmark Open. Her title had come at the Orleans Masters (Super 100) in April 2022, while her last Super 300 title was the Spain Masters in May 2021.

Facing Baoji China Masters champion Han Qian Xi, Wardani had things under control all the way, wrapping up the match 21-14 21-14 in 40 minutes.

“I feel very happy today I am able to be on the podium as the champion; my last time was in Spain 2021,” said Wardani. “I just went in with a ‘nothing to lose’ attitude. In the last two tournaments in Taipei and Hong Kong I lost in the finals, so at this tournament I just played like I had nothing to lose.”

Olympic bronze medallists Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik did their qualification chances to the World Tour Finals a world of good as they won their first title since last October’s Denmark Open 2023. The Malaysians got the better of new pair Jin Yong/Kim Won Ho in a tense contest, 21-23 21-19 21-14.

“After the Olympics, Wooi Yik was recovering from an injury to his toe,” said Aaron Chia. “We are happy that we are slowly getting back.  We shouldn’t have made so many unforced errors, so I was a bit frustrated.”

Other Highlights

Fast-rising Chinese pair Guo Xin Wa/Chen Fang Hui picked up their third title this year from four finals as the world No.21 beat Dejan Ferdinansyah/Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja for the second time, 21-10 21-12.

Scratch pair Kim Hye Jeong/Kong Hee Yong gave home supporters cause for cheer as they prevailed over second seeds Li Yi Jing/Luo Xu Min 21-14 16-21 21-18. Kong and Kim last played together at the Singapore Open 2019, where they finished runners-up.

What They Said

“It’s been a long time since we’ve had the chance to compete together, and standing on the top of the podium makes us very glad.” – Kong Hee Yong

“Kunlavut was able to capitalise on chances on the court, making adjustments – especially when I was leading and he was behind. His ability to adapt was better than mine.” – Wang Zheng Xing

“First of all, I’m really happy because this is an affirmation of all our recent training. And then, just taking it one game at a time, all the way up to today’s final. Each game has been a little better than the last, and it definitely brings me more confidence.” – Chen Fang Hui

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