General

Judith Meulendijks of the Netherlands
Judith ends Scottish title wait
Date: 11/30/2011 11:22 AM
Published by : MR

JUDITH MEULENDIJKS ended a long wait for a Scottish International title when she won the women's singles crown at Glasgow's Kelvin Hall International Sports Arena. The 33-year-old Dutch No. 2, who has been a good friend to the Scots as a past sparring partner, made up for two previous final disappointments by winning the title against 17-year-old rising Danish star Line Kjaersfeldt 21-9 21-19 in front of a packed arena which included BADMINTONscotland Patron, His Royal Highness The Earl of Wessex.

But the young Dane, who was only playing her second singles event of the year, had the consolation of having already won the mixed doubles title with Kim Sorensen when the eighth seeds defeated Poland's top seed Wojciech Szkularczyk and Agnieszka Wojkowska 15-21 21-15 21-13.

In the blue riband men's singles England's top seed Rajiv Ouseph proved Glasgow a happy hunting ground when he returned from Superseries action to reclaim the title he won in 2008 by beating team-mate Carl Baxter 21-18 21-10 and maintain his unbeaten record against the Canadian-born 14th seed.

Even in defeat Baxter can look back with satisfaction on a tournament where he took out the fourth, sixth and 10th seeds on the eve of his 26th birthday - and will celebrate with Ouseph by watching his team Liverpool when they visit Chelsea in the Carling Cup on Tuesday,

There was, however, a happy early birthday present for Sweden's Emma Wengberg. Emma, 24 tomorrow, and Emelie Lennartsson, the 2008 runners-up and second seeds, defeated Loughborough University-based Malasyian sisters Hui Ern Ng and Hui Lin Ng, the fourth seeds, 21-7 21-13.

In the men's doubles England's sixth seeds Marcus Ellis and Peter Mills were defending their title but were just edged out by top seeds Vladimir Ivanov and Ivan Sozonov 21-19 21-19 as the Russians repeated their Yonex BWF World Championship win over Mills and Ellis.

The Championships were honoured once again by the presence of His Royal Highness The Earl of Wessex, attending the Championships in his 21st year as their most enthusiastic Patron and in BADMINTONscotland's Centenary Year, and among the prizes he presented was one to rising Scottish star Kirsty Gilmour, who received the Robert McCoig Quaich for the most meritorious performance by a home player.

His Royal Highness also made presentations to

*Arc Centre, Milton in recognition to their work under the Cashback Programme

*David Gillespie for dedication to work with players with Learning Disabilities

*Kathleen Sidebottom and Rothesay Junior Badminton Club
 

This is expected to be the last Championships at the Kelvin Hall, the venue for the last 20 years. The new Dalmarnock arena, the 2014 Commonwealth Games venue, is expected to open next October with the Championships being one of the first big events to be staged there.

The finals results:

MS: (1) Rajiv Ouseph (ENG) bt (14) Carl Baxter (ENG) 21-18 21-10
WS: (5) Judith Meulendijks (NED) bt Line Kjaersfeldt (DEN) 21-9 21-19
MD: (1) Vladimir Ivanov/Ivan Sozonov (RUS) bt (6) Marcus Ellis/Peter Mills (ENG) 21-19 21-19
WD: (2) Emelie Lennartsson/Emma Wengberg (SWE) bt (4) Hui Ern Ng/Hui Lin Ng (MAS) 21-7 21-13
MX: (8) Kim Astrup/Line Kjærsfeldt (DEN) bt (1) Wojciech Szkudlarczyk & Agnieszka Wojtkowska (POL) 15-21 21-15 21-13

For full results of the Scottish International Championships click here

Article and photos by Peter Dean

©badmintoneurope.com. All rights reserved.

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