LookAtVietnam – Nguyen Tien Minh defended his singles title at the Ciputra Hanoi-Vietnam Challenge which ended yesterday at the Trinh Hoai Duc Gymnasium.

Born to be wild: Nguyen Tien Minh reacts after defeating Rumbaka Dyonisius Hayom, of Indonesia, 21-13, 21-15 in the men’s singles final of the Ciputra Hanoi-Vietnam Challenge yesterday. Minh defends his title and goes home with $1,125 and 4,000 points bonuses.

Minh, the No 2 seed, started slowly as he tested his rival, who is in the world No 80. Minh used long shuttles to two corners and made Hayom work hard.

As a result, the Indonesian was seldom able to use his favoured strong smashes from near the net.

The Vietnamese representative started to dominate with quick volleys and shuttles close to the net to win many points.

His tactics worked well and Hayom made many unforced errors.

It was Minh’s third title at the tournament where he won a bonus of US$1,125 and points to improve his world ranking.

“He [Hayom] is a strong rival. The world ranking does not reflect a player’s real power,” said Minh. “I have to learn his style to probe his weak and strong points.

“I had a strong defence which prevented Hayom scoring many points.”

Minh, the only Vietnamese player to reach the business end of the tournament, will prepare for a Super Series in Singapore in June.

Thailand’s Intanon Ratchanok took the women’s singles from Indonesian Christina Maria Elfira.

“Ratchanok, a young player, showed considerable skill as she created difficulties for Elfira, who ranks 53rd in the world.

Indonesia had representatives in four of yesterday’s five finals. Although missing the men’s and women’s singles, the Indonesians took the women’s and mixed doubles.

Bernadet Pia Zebadiah and Susanto Debby came from behind to beat Yui Miyaucgi and Yuki Itagaki, of Japan, 17-21, 21-17, 21-15 in the women’s doubles.

Teammates Ahmad Tontowi and Dili Richi Puspita took the mixed doubles in an all-Indonesia final.

Japan’s Takeshi Kamura and Ueda Takama beat Malaysians Hong Chieng Hun and Chow Pak Chuu in the men’s doubles.

The Ciputra international tournament attracted more than 260 players from many strong badminton countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, England and Japan.

With recognition as an official event in the Asian Badminton Federation, it is expected to become an annual fixture.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News