GERMAN OPEN 2014 SF – Indian summer in March

A delighted Arvind Bhat managed to grant himself a place in the final at the German Open, overcoming Chou Tien Chen after a true thriller.

By Elm Vandervorst.  Photos Sven Heise for Badmintonphoto (live)

Arvind Bhat (pictured), Indian national champion in 2008 and 2010, has waited a long time to get back to a Grand Prix final.  His last time was at the 2008 Bitburger Open in Saarbrucken, but despite half a dozen trips back to Germany, he had to wait over five years, until today, to get back to a big-time Sunday match.

The unseeded Indian managed capitalize on his 3th match point to beat world #24 Chou Tien Chen 21-12, 12-21, 22-20.  Bhat will now have to face Hans-Kristian Vittinghus. The Dane, despite the support of the home crowd, was just too strong for Marc Zwiebler 21-16, 21-13. Meaning that all German players are now eliminated.

Germany’s fortunes stand in stark contrast to the luxury enjoyed by the Japanese, who are already certain of at least one title: the men’s doubles. Takeshi Kamura / Keigo Sonoda beat second-seeded Malaysians Hoon Thien How /  Tan Wee Kiong but they now face Hiroyuki Endo / Kenichi Hayakawa – who defeated Maneepong Jongjit / Nipitphon Puangpuapech – to decide who’s Japan’s strongest.

Beside that guaranteed trophy, and the second spot, Japan might claim two more titles on Sunday. While Sayaka Takahashi (photo) lost the first game to Carolina Marin 18-21, she won the second and third 21-13, 21-19. If the 21-year-old can also foil Sung Ji Hyun, she can join her compatriots in the celebrations. However there’s no doubt that first seeded Ji Hyun is the clear favourite. The Korean hasn’t lost a game so far and she also won her previous encounter with Takahashi at the Korea Open in January.

Japan’s last chance lies in the women’s doubles. Misaki Matsutomo and Ayaka Takahashi had to erase two game points in their first game against Dutch duo Eefje Muskens / Selena Piek, but prevailed 22-20. A convincing 21-13 in the second, was enough to book a final against second seeds Jung Kyung Eun and Kim Ha Na.  Sunday’s final will be a repeat of last year’s semi-final, which was won by Jung/Kim en route to their first of three Grand Prix Gold titles in 2013.

Bhat isn’t the only unseeded player who can defy the odds. Also Scots Robert Blair and Imogen Bankier (photo)  can still be victorious in the finals, even though they started the tournament without a seeding. Of course, Asian Champions Ko Sung Hyun and Kim Ha Na are ready to deny the Scottish pairing a second victory this year, after their title at the Swedish Masters.

Finals line-up
WD: Misaki Matsutomo / Ayaka Takahashi (JPN) [1] vs. Jung Kyung Eun / Kim Ha Na (KOR) [2]
WS: Sung Ji Hyun (KOR) [1] vs. Sayaka Takahashi (JPN) [6]
MD: Hiroyuki Endo / Kenichi Hayakawa (JPN) [1] vs. Takeshi Kamura / Keigo Sonoda (JPN) [8]
XD: Ko Sung Hyun / Kim Ha Na (KOR) [3] vs. Robert Blair / Imogen Bankier (SCO)
MS: Hans-Kristian Vittinghus (DEN) [12] vs. Arvind Bhat (IND)

Click here for complete semi-final results