English mixed doubles pair Callum Hemming and Jessica Pugh were crowned champions at the Scottish Open on the final day of the tournament in Glasgow.
Hemming and Pugh beat India’s Ishaan Bhatnagar and Tanisha Crasto 21-15, 21-17 to get the win in 38 minutes at the Emirates Arena.
The English duo had a strong start in the first game, claiming four consecutive points early on, but India fought back, also taking four in a row in an attempt to level – which they managed at 14-14.
But Pugh and Hemming’s partnership proved unstoppable to seal the first game win in a final five point run to make it 21-15.
The second game proved more difficult as India looked for an all-important win, and managed to edge ahead on four occasions – but only by two points.
Pugh and Hemming came from behind at 13-14, again on a five-point run to take the 21-17 win in less than 40 minutes.
The victory came after the English pair beat Scots Adam Hall and Julie MacPherson 21-17 21-16 in yesterday’s semi-finals.
Hemming said: “It’s an awesome feeling [to become champions]. We came here to win and for us it is job done.
“We managed to get stronger through the week – the time on court really helped us.
“I felt that by the end of the week, we were actually playing some really good badminton and had found a real rhythm, which can be difficult to get.
“It was great to be back in Glasgow, the crowd have been superb and we can take a lot from this week.”
Pugh added: “We are thrilled to get the win here. In a final, it can be anybody’s win.
“Obviously we still have World Championships to come this year and this was great preparation for that.
“We were seeded fifth but in a final, you can never really gauge how your opponent is going to play, anything can happen.
“It wasn’t easy but I felt we were really strong in the big points and got more confident as the match went on.”
Scotland did claim a victory in the men’s doubles final, with Christopher Grimley and Matthew Grimley beating Malaysia’s Junaidi Arif and Muhammad Haika 22-20, 21, 16.
Malaysia also lost in the women’s doubles final as Canada’s Rachel Honderich and Kristen Tsai beat Anna Ching Yik Cheong and Mei Xing Teoh 21-14, 21-12.
But Malaysia were able to taste victory in the men’s singles with Tze Yong Ng defeating compatriot Joo Ven Soong 21-18, 21-15.
Wen Chi Hsu of Taipei was crowned women’s singles champion after she beat Line Jojmark Kjaersfeldt of Denmark 21-15, 21-18.
The YONEX All England Open Badminton Championships return to Utilita Arena Birmingham with the best players from around the world from 16th – 20th March 2022. Don’t miss out, get your tickets today.
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