Chris and Gabby Adcock (main picture) have created history by becoming the first English players to win a title at the year-end BWF World Superseries finals. The husband-and-wife pair beat Korea's third seeds Ko Sung-hyun and Kim Ha-na 21-14 21-17 in two straight games to clinch the title in Dubai and a prize money of USD 84,000.

The world number 7 pair played some smart rallies to take an early lead in the first game which they never let slip after that.

"This is a very big win for us," said Chris Adcock to Badminton England.

"The Koreans have been superb all year. We really wanted to try and put right what we didn't do against them in the past so to come through with the win is amazing."

The Adcocks had not beaten their Korean rivals in their three previous meetings but opened up a 12-6 lead in the first game before going six points up again later (18-12) and closing out the opener. They went 12-8 ahead in the second game before their opponents made it 15-all.

But two winners from Chris gave them the initiative again and they wrapped up victory in just 37 minutes for their second Superseries title after their success in Hong Kong in 2013.

Gabby said on badmintonengland.co.uk: "I am in shock and I can't believe we won. I am overwhelmed with emotion. This is a very big win as the Korean pair have been good all year."

Axelsen & Pedersen/Rytter Juhl finished runner-up

Viktor Axelsen, who stunned overwhelming favourite Chen Long of China in sensational semi-final show-down on Saturday, suffered a two-game defeat to Kento Momota of Japan. The Dane (pictured below) lost 12-21, 15-21 after 38 minutes of play.

“It was not the result I had hoped for today! Simply didn't find my level from yesterday and Momota played way better than I did. I am still looking back at a good tournament and a good 2015. Now I need some rest and some days away from badminton, before training starts again! I'm looking forward to 2016", said Viktor Axelsen on his Facebook page.



Momota overcame Axelsen's countryman, third seed Jan Ø. Jørgensen, 21-19, 21-18, in the semi-finals.

An injury prevented Denmark’s women’s doubles duo Christinna Pedersen and Kamilla Rytter Juhl from taking the BWF World Superseries title. Pedersen/Rytter Juhl had to retire in the rubber-game against China’s Luo Ying & Luo Yu and settle for the silver medal. Christinna Pedersen suffered from a stomach problem.


The finals results:

Kento Momota (JPN) - Viktor Axelsen (DEN) 21:15 21:12
Nozomi Okuhara (JPN) - WANG Yihan (CHN) 22:20 21:18
Mohammad Ahsan/Hendra Setiawan (INA) – Chai Biao/Hong Wei (CHN) 13:21 21:14 21:14
Luo Ying/Luo Yu (CHN) - Christinna Pedersen/Kamilla Rytter Juhl (DEN) 14:21 21:9 14:4 (ret.)
Chris Adcock/Gabrielle Adcock (ENG) - Ko Sung Hyun/Kim Ha Na (KOR) 21:14 21:17

World Superseries Finals champions from Europe:

2015 Chris Adcock/Gabrielle Adcock (ENG)
2014 Joachim Fischer/Christinna Pedersen (DEN)
2013 Joachim Fischer/Christinna Pedersen (DEN) & Christinna Pedersen/Kamilla Rytter Juhl (DEN)
2012 Mathias Boe/Carsten Mogensen (DEN) & Joachim Fischer/Christinna Pedersen (DEN)
2011 Mathias Boe/Carsten Mogensen (DEN)
2010 Mathias Boe/Carsten Mogensen (DEN)
2009 Joachim Fischer/Christinna Pedersen (DEN)
2008 Thomas Laybourn/Kamilla Rytter Juhl (DEN)

Click here for champions of the tournament since 2008.
Click here for all results including live score from Dubai.

BWF’s dedicated YouTube channel will bring you all the live action from Dubai.

Article by Manuel Rösler. Photos (LIVE) by BadmintonPhoto.