No 1 seed overcomes fellow 25-year-old to claim first crown in city and banish unhappy World Championships memories
Wang Zhiyi said her Li-Ning Hong Kong Open triumph provided an “emotional release” after she survived a roller coaster second game to beat fellow Chinese Han Yue 21-14, 24-22 in an absorbing final.
The success added to Wang’s China Open title from July, when she also beat Han in the final, and partially atoned for her shock last 16 exit from the recent Badminton World Championships.
A Hong Kong quarter-finalist in 2023, No 1 seed Wang, who banked US$37,500 in prize money, said: “Winning the Hong Kong Open for the first time is so exciting. I’m very grateful to the fans for creating such a great atmosphere.
“It’s a confidence boost for me, and I think I’ll be able to perform well in the China Masters [in Shenzhen from Tuesday].”
