Ljubljana, Slovenia — Indian badminton player Sourabh Verma captured the men’s singles title at the Slovenia International 2024 with a commanding straight-games victory, defeating his opponent 21-17, 21-12 in the final held at the Tivoli Hall on Sunday.
The win marks Verma’s first international title of the season and his second BWF Tour triumph adding momentum to his campaign as he aims to break into the world’s top 20 rankings. The 26-year-old from Madhya Pradesh displayed sharp net play and consistent attacking clearances throughout the match, particularly in the second game where he pulled away after a tight opening.
Verma began the final strongly, taking an early 5-1 lead through a combination of deceptive drop shots and powerful smashes. His opponent fought back to narrow the gap to 11-9, but Verma regained control with a 6-point run to lead 17-11 and closed the first game 21-17 after saving two game points.
In the second game, Verma asserted dominance early, racing to a 10-3 lead with aggressive forehand attacks and minimal unforced errors. Although his opponent won four of the next five points to make it 10-7, Verma responded with another 8-1 surge to extend his advantage to 18-8. The Indian shuttler then maintained composure to seal the match 21-12, winning the final point with a precise cross-court net shot.
“I’m really happy with how I played today,” Verma said in a post-match interview captured by the Badminton World Federation’s official feed. “I stayed patient in the first game when it got tight, and then I was able to impose my game in the second. This win means a lot after a few tough weeks on the circuit.”
The Slovenia International, a BWF Tour Super 100 event, drew over 200 players from 30 nations to Ljubljana this week. Verma’s victory adds to India’s growing presence in European badminton circuits, following recent successes by players like Lakshya Sen and PV Sindhu at similar tournaments.
According to the BWF’s official tournament software, Verma won 68% of his total points in the match, committing just 12 unforced errors compared to his opponent’s 18. He converted 5 of 7 break point opportunities and won 80% of points when leading in the rally.
Verma’s path to the title included wins over higher-ranked opponents, including a three-game victory over Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia in the quarterfinals — a notable scalp given Lee’s world ranking of No. 8 at the time. In the semifinals, Verma defeated France’s Toma Junior Popov in straight games, 21-15, 21-13.
The triumph elevates Verma to No. 22 in the latest BWF World Rankings, his career-high position. He now turns his focus to the upcoming Indonesia Masters Super 500 event later this month, where he will look to carry this form into a higher-tier competition.
For ongoing coverage of the Slovenia International and other badminton tournaments, fans can follow updates from the Badminton World Federation and Badminton Association of India through their official channels.
What’s next for Sourabh Verma? He is scheduled to compete in the Indonesia Masters Super 500 beginning November 26, 2024, in Jakarta — a key opportunity to gain valuable points and experience against top-10 opposition.
Stay tuned to Archysport for continued updates on Verma’s season and all major badminton developments across the globe.
Have thoughts on Verma’s performance or the Slovenia International? Share your insights in the comments below or join the conversation on social media using #SloveniaInternational.
