Taufik Finally Got His Title in 2011
Saurabh Verma
2011 is the most difficult year for Taufik Hidayat. His world ranking slipped to 12th from 2nd on the beginning of the year. He stands below players who actually have below winning averages against him, such as Tien Minh Nguyen (ranked 8t) or even Kenichi Tago (ranked 11th) who only won once against him.
However in this final month of December 2011, Taufik finally grabs his first title of the year by beating Sourabh Verma of India in Syed Modi Memorial India Open Grand Prix Gold Badminton Championship. Taufik Hidayat asserted his class and won 21-15, 21-17.
In the second game, Verma had a chance when he took a four-point lead, 15-11, in the second game, but two back-to-back unforced errors allowed Hidayat to reduce the margin and race to 21-18. Verma sent a powerful return outside the backcourt to bring the curtains down on the 46-minute encounter.
“It was a great experience to play against a player like Taufik. I could have done better had I been more positive in my finishes,” said Sourabh. Sourabh collected the runner-up cheque of $4,560.
Hidayat was impressed by his rival. “Though there were ups and down, I maintained my rhythm. I always wanted to win this event to boost my confidence,” he said. Taufik Hidayat earned $9,000 for the winner.
Final Results
Men's singles: Taufik Hidayat (INA) bt Sourabh Verma (IND) 21-15, 21-17.
Men's doubles: N Kawamae/S Sato (JPN) bt A Adistia/ C Rusdianto (INA) 21-17, 12-21, 23-21.
Women's singles: Inthanon Ratchanok (THA) w/o Porntip Buranaprasertsuk (THA).
Women's doubles: Shinta Mulia Sari/Lei Yao (SIN) bt Miyuki Maeda/ Satoko Suetsuna (JPN) 21-17, 21-18. Mixed doubles: Prapakamol/S Thoungthongkam (THA) bt M Rijal-D Susanto (INA) 16-21, 21-18, 21-11.