Sydney: A display of badminton brilliance unfolded at the 2023 Australian Open as Zhang Beiwen of the United States and Weng Hongyang of China asserted their dominance in the women’s and men’s singles finals, captivating fans in Sydney on Sunday.
Zhang Beiwen, the tenacious 4th seed and World No. 12, ended her five-year championship drought in a spectacular fashion by defeating South Korea’s 7th seed Kim Ga-eun with a score of 20-22, 21-16, 21-8. Her last BWF World Tour title was the 2018 India Open, where she outlasted PV Sindhu of India 21–18, 11–21, 22–20 in the final.
Highlights of Zhang Beiwen vs. Kim Ga-eun in the 2023 Australian Open final:
Sunday’s remarkable triumph not only earned her the first BWF World Tour title for the year but also showcased her unwavering dedication to the sport. Her tenacity was evident as she reached the finals of the 2023 Orléans Masters and Taipei Open, making her presence felt on the badminton circuit.
Beiwen Zhang’s journey to the championship was nothing short of awe-inspiring. Known for her indomitable spirit, she has overcome various obstacles throughout her career, including recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon sustained during the Tokyo Olympics. At the age of 33, she continues to exude a hunger for victory and a profound passion for the game of badminton.
Her victory will undoubtedly leave a strong impact on the sport’s enthusiasts in United States.
In the closely contested men’s singles final, Weng Hongyang emerged as the triumphant victor, narrowly defeating India’s renowned player HS Prannoy with a scoreline of 21-9, 21-23, 22-20. This outstanding achievement marked Weng Hongyang’s first BWF World Tour title of the year and served as a sweet redemption for his previous loss in the Malaysia Masters final on May 28, 2023.
The men’s singles final was a nail-biting 90-minute encounter that had spectators on the edge of their seats. Both Weng Hongyang and HS Prannoy exhibited strong determination in the deciding game, engaging in thrilling exchanges of points. Ultimately, Weng Hongyang’s powerful smashes and precise shots secured him the coveted title, leaving HS Prannoy just short of clinching the championship.
In the women’s doubles final, the Korean duo of Kim So Young and Kong Hee Yong, seeded second, emerged victorious by defeating China’s Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning with a score of 21-18, 21-16, adding another championship to their triumphant year. Kim and Kong had previously claimed titles at the All England, Thailand Open, and Japan Open in 2023.
The mixed doubles final witnessed the formidable pair of Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping showcasing their prowess by defeating Japan’s Hiroki Midorikawa and Natsu Saito in a fiercely contested three-round battle. The victory secured them their fifth title of the year, which includes previous wins at the Indonesia Masters, Thailand Masters, German Open, Korea Open, and now the Australian Open.
In the men’s doubles final, Korea’s No. 8 seeds, Kang Min-hyuk and Seo Seung-jae, ranked 9th in the world, faced off against Japan’s No. 3 seeds, Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi, ranked 5th in the world. Kang and Seo emerged triumphant with a score of 21-17, 21-17, sealing their victory in just 42 minutes. Their success at the 2023 Australian Open added to their previous win at the Malaysia Masters earlier in the year.
