In the men's singles final between Chou Tien Chen (TPE) and Anthony Ginting (IDN), a controversial decision of the umpire caused a lot of discussions even far after the match and the tournament ended.
It was a real thriller even without the upset. Chou dominated the first set (21-18), Ginting fought back in the second (21-11). In the deciding set, Ginting looked like the winner and led by eight points at times. But Chou did not give up and fought off six match points until the controversy shook the event at 22-22.
Here's what happened: The umpire interrupted the ongoing rally and recognised a ground contact of the shuttle on Chou's side. The 32-year-old immediately protested vehemently, "I'm not playing anymore!" he shouted on court. The referee intervened, still the decision stood despite heated debate. Ginting finally converted his seventh match point and decided the third set (24:22) and thus the match in his favor.
Chou wants a rule change
"I know I can't change the situation anymore. But I would like the BWF to consider a possible rule change so that such scenes are not repeated in the future" Chou explained. Specifically, Chou is thus calling for an introduction similar to hawkeye, a video review that can be used as a decision-making reference when umpires make close calls.
Overlooking the controversy, it should not be forgotten that Ginting played an outstanding tournament. The 26-year-old appeared dominant in every match, defeating last year's winner Loh Kean Yew, among others, without any problems. "I couldn't be happier" said Ginting afterwards.
Chinese Taipei put on show in Saarbrucken
Apart from the discussions in the men's singles, the intra-national final in the men's doubles also put on a spectacular show. The duo from Chinese Taipei, Lu Ching Yao and Yang Po Han, won against their compatriots Lee Jhe-Huei and Yang Po-Hsuan (11:21, 21:17, 25:23). Both sides missed two match points each in the deciding set, before Lu managed to get the shuttle over the net almost lying down and secured the win of the HYLO Open.
In the winner's interview that followed, singles specialist Chou Tien Chen, who would have a prominent role later in the evening, acted as interpreter. "We work very hard, finally it's paying off" Lu enthused. "We trust each other in every situation. I never thought about the title, it made it easier and more relaxed" Yang confessed.
Han Yue wins all-Chinese women's final
After losing in the French Open final last week, Lu/Yang celebrated their first World Tour title. On the way to their triumph in Saarbrucken, the athletes from Chinese Taipei had defeated, among others, the 2nd seeded Danes Astrup/Rasmussen.
Meanwhile, winning a BWF Super 300 tournament is not a new experience for Han Yue. However, the Chinese had to wait four years after her victory in India before her next trophy goes into the showcase. In the final of the women's singles, the 22-year-old won against her compatriot Zhang Yi Man in two sets (21:18, 21:16).
The eventual winner quickly trailed 4:12 in the first set. At 15:18, Han pulled ahead and scored six points in a row to win the set. From that moment on, the triumph was only a few minutes away, Zhang had no chance in the second set. "At the beginning I had problems to keep up the pace. Then I concentrated completely on myself and thought from point to point. The title is another step forward" Han said.
Aimsaard sisters "continue to have fun"
In the women's singles as well, the winning nation was already decided in advance. The Thai doubles pair of Jongkolphan Kititharakul/Rawinda Prajongjai and Benyapa Aimsaard/Nuntakarn Aimsaard fought for the title. Kititharakul/ Prajongjai were the only top-seeded players to live up to their seeding and reach the final – in which the two 29-year-olds lost to their in-form compatriots.
The Aimsaard sisters on the other side had their big breakthrough this year, eventually celebrating their second World Tour title after a tight three-set match (21-10, 18-21, 21-17).
"We just had fun on the court and had nothing to lose. That was definitely an advantage. Even a second place would have been a great success for us and for Thailand" the sisters said happily.
Indonesians beat the next and last favorites
In mixed doubles, the big shooting stars of the week marched to a well-deserved title win. Rehan Kusharjanto and Lisa Kusumawati eliminated the 3rd seeded European Champion duo Mark Lamsfuß and Isabel Lohau as well as the 5th seeded Danish double Mathias Chriatiansen/Alexandra Böje on their way to the final.
Even the Chinese Olympic champion Huang Dong Ping and her new partner Feng Yan Zhe could not stop the mixed of the hour. In the final of the HYLO Open they lost clearly (15:21, 17:21). The two 22-year-old Indonesians Kusharjanto/Kusumawati not only took revenge for the defeat against Feng/Huang two weeks ago at the Denmark Open, but at the same time celebrate their first big career success.
Kusharjanto has little tears in his eyes
"It's a great moment, I'm even crying a little bit," Kusharjanto laughed: "We've trained so much, it's paying off." Both athletes were happy about the great Indonesian support in the Saarlandhalle, "it gives extra motivation," admitted the doubles player ranked 26 in the world.
Find all results from finals day of the HYLO Open
here.