HYDERABAD: Dionysius Hayom Rumbaka, who was runner-up at the last edition of Syed Modi tournament, emerged winner in the $50,000 Indian Open Grand Prix badminton championship at Kotla Vijayabhaskar Reddy Indoor Stadium on Sunday.
The top-seeded Indonesian, who was suffering from flu, fought back from a set down to end the dream run of unseeded Suppanyu Avihingsanon of Thailand 14-21, 21-15, 21-12 in men’s singles final.
The women’s crown was captured by unseeded Zhou Hui of China, who defeated Fransiska Ratnasari of Indonesia 21-13, 21-17.
An unwell Rumbaka was pinned down by the speedy Avihingsanon, who had upset three seeded players on his way to the final. Avihingsanon’s game flourished and Rumbaka had to play second fiddle to the Thai player. “I was sick suffering from flu. I found it hard to settle down and lost the first game,’’ said Rumbaka.
In the second game, the lead changed hands. It was a close battle till Rumbaka took charge at 16-13. “But once I got into grove I began playing my shots and gained the upper hand,’’ said Rumbaka, who won the second game comfortably.
Rumbaka got better as the game progressed and was in full flow in the third game. He began to play a fast attacking game to seal victory.
An aggressive Zhou Hui proved too good for leaden-fo oted Ratnasari.
