Arvind Bhat wins New Caledonia Open

BANGALORE: Arvind Bhat won the USD 5,000 New Caledonia Open, an International Badminton Federation satellite event, with an upset win over world number 48 Pablo Abian of Spain after a year-long injury lay-off.

Arvind rallied from 8-13 down in the decider to post a 21-15, 12-21, 21-19 win.

The win will be a morale booster for the Karnataka-lad who suffered a severe ankle injury last year.

Arvind, who was ranked number one in the country and within the top 40 in the world rankings, scored incredible wins over world number four Kenneth Jonassen of Denmark, world number 11 Bjorn Joppien (Germany) and number three Simon Santoso of Indonesia.

He also won the doubles event, partnering another Bangalore boy and BPCL mate Ajit Wijetilekk.

Arvind earlier played in the Victorian International in Melbourne and North Shore International in Auckland where he narrowly lost to top seeds Ervin, Kelhoffner (France) and John Moody (New Zealand) respectively in the second round.

He will return to Bangalore in August.