Kento ends two-year title wait by winning at Korean Masters

PETALING JAYA: Kento Momota of Japan lifted the men’s singles title in the Korean Masters in a convincing fashion after beating compatriot Koki Watanabe in the final on Sunday.

The 29-year-old, who is playing in his first tournament in four months after losing in the first round of the Australian Open in August, fought for 51 minutes to beat Watanabe 21-16, 21-15 to lift his first title in two years.

Momota last won at the Indonesian Masters in 2021.

The win against the 24-year-old Watanabe is also a pleasant revenge after having lost to his younger compatriot at the Japan Open in July this year.

The former two-time world champion will now enter his home tournament – Japan Masters – starting tomorrow with some extra motivation.

South Korea were a dominant force at home by sweeping three titles – women’s singles, doubles and mixed doubles.

FINAL RESULTS

Men’s singles: Kenta Momota (Jpn) bt Koki Watanabe (Jpn) 21-16, 21-15.

Men’s doubles: Lee Jhe-huei-Yang Po-hsuan (Tpe) bt Lee Yang-Wang Chi-lin (Tpe) 21-17, 21-19.

Women’s singles: Kim Ga-eun (Kor) bt Tomoka Miyazaki (Jpn) 19-21, 21-17, 21-12.

Women’s doubles: Jeong Na-eun-Kim Hye-jeong (Kor) bt Rui Hirokami-Yuna Kato (Jpn) 21-12, 21-19.

Mixed doubles: Seo Seung-jae-Chae Yu-jung (Kor) bt Jiang Zhen-bang-Wei Yaxin (Chn) 21-14, 21-15.