Momota into first final this year after ‘difficult times’

Japan’s Kento Momota expressed delight yesterday 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.

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 more than 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 in the final today. Axelsen overcame Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie 21-15, 20-22, 21-11 in the other semi-final.

“I just tried not to make any mistakes and move the shuttle as much as possible into the opponent’s side,” Momota said 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.

The accident is an inescapable part of his life and Momota revealed the battle he had to get back on his feet.

“I felt I lost everything. I went back to zero. What I established was all gone. Even though I loved badminton, I almost started disliking it.

“Now I’m in the final and it’s nice for me and I think I might be getting closer to the answer that I was looking for.

“I think I might be stepping up one level. My condition is the best in recent months. In the final it doesn’t matter who I face. I can’t be too relaxed, nor can I be too tense.”

The women’s final today will be between eighth seed Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon and fourth seed Chen Yufei of China.

Now I’m in the final ... I think I might be getting closer to the answer that I was looking for

KENTO MOMOTA