Sunday last saw the finals of the 2014 Yonex Open played, not only in front of a large attending crowd, but also live on Poland’s biggest internet TV channel TVP sport bringing all the action from the Ursynov Arena in Warsaw to badminton fans across Poland.

There was mixed fortunes for the home players on finals in what proved to be one of the best court days Russia’s Nina Vislova has had since her Olympic bronze medal in London almost two years ago.

Freak Injury dashed Polish Hopes

Polish Veteran Robert Mateusiak was first on court alongside his youthful partner Agnieszka Wojkowska. The Poles have been developing nicely as a pair since winning the Austrian International in February and on form and with home court advantage were favorites against Durkin & Vislova from Russia.

The Russians however dominated from the start and took the opening game 21-15. Durkin & Vislova amassed a handsome lead in the second before a freak accident forced the Poles to retire after Robert Matuesiak collided with his partner injuring her wrist forcing her to be rushed to hospital. Thankfully nothing more than a slight injury was diagnosed with a week’s rest being prescribed for Wojkowska.

French star Brice Leverdez has made only a handful of appearances this season to date but when he does play it is normally accompanied by a trip to the podium on finals day. The French number 1’s opponent on finals day was the resurgent Rasmus Fladberg. The Dane had been involved in an epic battle in the Danish league on Thursday and it was clear that the rush to Poland on the day the tournament start was to prove his undoing as Leverdez dominated the final to win in two games.

Polish player Adrian Dziolko capped off a good two weeks work claiming a bronze medal after finishing runner up in Romania the previous week.

8 wins in 12 months for Cwalina & Wacha

The highlight of the finals schedule was undoubtedly the appearance and victory of Polish favorites Adam Cwalina and Przemyslaw Wacha, the veterans retaining the title they lifted in 2013. The match itself was over before it started with an easy 21-10 21-11 win for the Polish veterans lifting their 8th title in 12 months.

In the longest match of the afternoon Nina Vislova crowned a good day’s work taking her second title alongside Anastasia Chervaykova in the women’s doubles. The Russian were made battle for over an hour before coming out the right side of an intense three game battle against Japanese duo Kurihara & Shinoya. The title looked to be heading to Japan with 3 match points in reserve but the Russians bounced back to win 22-20 taking 5 points in a row to the dismay of their opponents.

Finally in an all Japanese women’s single final Yuka Kusunose overcame compatriot Chisato Hoshi in two games after taking down Spain’s Beatriz Corrales in the semifinal.

For all results from Poland click HERE