KUALA LUMPUR —
Japan's Kento Momota expressed
delight Saturday at reaching his first final of the year after enduring
"difficult times", following a convincing victory at the
Malaysia Open over Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn.
اضافة اعلان
It was a major boost for the once undisputed king of
badminton after a recent run of poor form and came in the country where a car
crash over two years ago sent his career into free fall.
Momota received a rapturous reception from spectators
for his semi-final in Kuala Lumpur, and wasted no time imposing himself on
Kunlavut, who struggled to match his quality play.
He needed only 42 minutes to beat the Thai player
21-11, 21-12, delivering accurate smashes coupled with precise net play.
He will face world number one
Viktor Axelsen of Denmark or Indonesia's Jonatan Christie in the final on Sunday, with the pair
set to complete their semi-final later Saturday.
"I just tried not to make any mistakes and move
the shuttle as much as possible into the opponent's side," said Momota
after his win.
"I'm so happy to reach this final after enduring
so many difficult times. I will try my best for the people who have supported
me throughout."
Momota was involved in a car accident in Malaysia in
January 2020, when the vehicle taking him to Kuala Lumpur airport following his
victory in a tournament crashed.
It left him with a fractured eye socket and, after a
year out of action, he was a shadow of his former self when he returned.
Momota flopped at the
Tokyo Olympics and lost in the
first round at four of the five singles tournaments he has entered this year.
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