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Aparna Popat wins Asian Satellite title

October 24, 2003 18:27 IST
Last Updated: October 24, 2003 18:48 IST


Top seed Aparna Popat lifted the women's crown in the Indian Oil Asian Satellite Badminton Championships, defeating third seed Salket Polsana of Thailand in the final in Jaipur on Friday.

It was sweet revenge for the world no. 24, who had lost to the same opponent in the final of the last edition of the championship in Mumbai in 2002.

Popat won 11-4, 10-13, 11-4.

The men's crown was won by second seed Yeoh Kay Bin of Malaysia, who surprised top seed and countryman Chong Wei Lee 15-5, 15-13 in the final.

Popat started cautiously against Polsana, but soon controlled the opening game as she raced to an 8-1 lead before taking the game at 11-4.

In the second game, she looked in a hurry to clinch the title as she raced away to a 7-1 lead. But a lapse in concentration allowed Polsana to claw back, win the game and take the match into the decider.

But the Indian ace tightened her game and made sure her opponent would be allowed no more chances. With immaculate control, she called the shots in the decider to win easily at 11-4.

"It has been difficult to control the faster shuttles used here and due to this I was relying on placements, Popat said after the match.

Popat said her Thai opponent also faced the same problem in the final but played with determination to put up a good fight.

In the men's final, Bin maintained a cool and calm composure against the top seed to take the title in style.

He took the first game rather easily 15-5 but had to try a little harder in the second as Lee used all his experience to unsettle him.

"We know each other's games too well. I was troubled by a bruised finger but felt it was my day," the champion said.


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