India's Sameer Verma loses in Hong Kong Open Final to Ng Ka Long Angus
After the Olympic silver-medalist PV Sindhu failed to win a second successive women's singles Super Series title, all hopes were pinned on Sameer Verma at Hong Kong Super Series.
National champion Sameer Verma stunned World No. 3 Jan O Jorgensen of Denmark to reach his maiden Super Series final on Saturday. The 22-year-old Sameer, who is the younger brother of Sourabh Verma, showed tremendous athleticism and accuracy in his strokes to notch up a hard-fought 21-19 24-22 win over Denmark's Jorgensen, who had clinched the prestigious China Super Series Premier last week.
Sameer, who came into the tournament as a qualifier, will fight for the title against local favourite Ng Ka Long Angus on Sunday.
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And it's all over! Angus becomes the first man from Hong Kong to with the Hong Kong open. Wins 21-14, 10-21, 21-11. Sameer Verma put up a tough fight but it wasn't the Indian's day. He was beaten convincingly in the final game by Angus. But a remarkable tournament for Verma, nonetheless.
Angus just a few points away from creating history. Holds firm lead of 19-11.
Game point for Angus. It's all but over for Verma.
Verma trying to stage a comeback at 11-17. Will Angus hang on to his lead?
Another error by Verma. His game seems to be falling apart. Angus leads 16-9.
Angus is running away with the match. The Indian trails by 6-15.
Verma on the floor, saves the drop shot but not the point. Angus leads 13-6.
Better from Verma. Closes in at 12-6.
At the halfway mark in the final game, Angus has a solid lead of 11-4. Is this a bridge too far for Verma? Not much room for error now.
10-4 to Angus. Verma needs to make a move soon.
Multiple long rallies, but result is the same. Angus in control with lead of 7-4.
Verma is fighting back but Angus still in the lead. Score tied at 5-3.
Unbelievable acrobatics from Verma but Angus takes the point and extends the lead to 4-2.
Angus has started the third game confidently. Takes a 3-0 lead.
The final game of the Final is upon us. Can young Sameer Verma create history?
He's done it! Verma takes the second game 21-10. Momentum firmly in the Indian's corner.
Game point for Verma. Can he make tie the contest?
Another error by Angus. Verma two point away from the game.
Stunning cross-court smash by Verma to lead 17-7. Closing in the the second game.
Verma on a roll. Moving Angus from end-to-end. The Indian leads 15-7.
Verma moving confidently and inducing errors from Angus. Leads 13-8.
At the halfway stage in the second game, Verma is leading by 11-5. Can the Indian hold on?
Verma is making a serious move. Brilliant point, ending with a smash, gives him a 10-4 lead.
A brilliant smash by Angus to make it 7-3. Can Verma hang on to his lead?
Verma seems to have built some momentum. Leads Angus 7-2.
Misjudgment by Angus on the far side line. Verma in the lead 4-2.
2-1 in the second game. Angus to serve.
And the first game goes to Angus 21-14. Verma did put up a fight but he will need to up his game to have a chance in the match.
First game entering business end. Angus leads 20-14.
Can Verma bridge the gap? Angus leads 17-14.
Long rally ends with a thunderous smash by Angus. Verma trailing by 17-12.
Error by Angus brings the score to 13-12. The Indian is on the charge now.
Angus in the lead 12-8, but Verma is putting up a solid fight. It's going to be a close match.