Anthony Sinisuka Ginting is finally back in the finals after a long time. The Singapore Open 2022 tournament is an opportunity for the bronze medal winner of the Tokyo Olympics to win the title.
Ginting met Kodai Naraoka from Japan to compete for the highest champion in the final of the BWF Super 500 tournament, on Sunday (17/7/2022). This is the first meeting for the two.
On paper, Anthony Ginting is the favorite to win. Judging from the rankings, he is far above by being ranked sixth, compared to Kodai which is ranked 43 in the world.
In terms of experience, Ginting is also much more experienced. Kodai arguably just started his senior level tournament at the Thailand Masters 2020. At that time, he was immediately eliminated in the round of 32.
Then he has also appeared in the German Open (top 16), and the 2022 Korea Masters. In Korea, he won the runner-up position in the BWF super 300 tournament. He only lost to deputy host Jeon Hyeok Jin 17-21, 16-21.
However, Anthony must be vigilant. However, Kodai was able to get to the final round by eliminating players ranked above him.
Call it Jonathan Christie. Kodai was able to beat the world number 8 player in a tight duel. After trailing 7-21 in the first two games, he was able to win 21-18, 21-15 in the last 16 of the Singapore Open 2022.
The 21-year-old then beat the world number 19, Prannoy H. S with almost the same pattern when he met Jonathan. He played the rubber game before finally winning 12-21, 21-14, 21-18 over the Indian representative in the quarterfinals.
Kodai then defeated Zhao Jun Peng, the 26th ranked Chinese badminton player in the world with a score of 21-18, 25-23. This victory is also the end, Kodai was able to seal a ticket to the final and will meet Anthony Ginting to fight for the championship title.
As for Anthony Ginting, this final was the first for him after the last time the Indonesia Masters 2020. At that time, he succeeded in becoming a champion, but after that he was no longer able to keep up with the top party. His best achievements since then are the 2020 Olympic multi-event bronze medals, and the semifinalists of the Thailand Open 2021 and the Swiss Open 2022.
However, Ginting admitted that he would prepare himself when he met Kodai by watching video footage of his opponent’s game.
“This is also because of my first meeting. So I don’t know what kind of game he is. It’s just that there will be discussions with the coach to implement what kind of strategy,” said Ginting while hoping to show his best match later.
Can Anthony Ginting win?
(mcy/aff)
