India's Sourabh Verma happened to be third time lucky as he walked away with the men's singles title in the USD55,000 Taiwan Masters in Taipei on Sunday after Malaysian professional Daren Liew retired in the third set due a shoulder injury.
In the final played at the finally won the men's singles Hsing Chuang Gymnasium in Taipei, the Indian ranked world No 82, won the first two sets at 12-10 and the score was tied at 3-3 when the Malaysian threw in the towel as his right shoulder injury became unbearable.
Daren Liew, 29, was seen grimacing in pain mid-way in the second set and sought medical treatment but returned to the court. In the third set it was evident the former Malaysian Thomas Cupper was in tremendous pain although he was determined to carry on.
He finally quit the match after 28 minutes and with that his hopes winning his first title since turning professional early this year.
With the title, Sourabh, 23, went home USD4,125 richer to make up for the disappointment of losing in the final in the Belgium Open and the Poland Open earlier this year. Daren Liew settled for USD2,090 for his efforts.
The women's singles final, which was an all-Japan affair saw third seed, 24-year-old Ayumi Mine riding on her experience to win 12-10, 7-11, 11-9, 12-10 against her 18-year-old opponent Saena Kawakami.
The men's doubles, the last event of the day ended in disappointment for the home fans when top seeds and Taiwan's hope Chen Hung Ling-Wang Ch-Lin fell at the final hurdle against Indonesia's youngsters Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Rian Ardianto (Image Above).
The Indonesians won 11-6, 11-6, 11-13, 9-11, 12-10 to pocket USD4,345 while the losers got USD2,090. The defeat saw Taiwan finish empty handed in the tournament.
The women's doubles saw another all-Japan affair with No 1 seeds Yuki Fukushima-Sayaka Hirota romping home to an easy 12-10, 11-5, 11-7 win over No 4 seeds Shiho Tanaka-Koharu Yonemotoin 29 minutes.
Hong Kong's Tang Chun Man-Tse Ying Suet took the mixed doubles title as they romped to a straight sets 11-3, 11-7, 14-12 victory against Japan's Ryota Taohata-Koharu Yonemoto in the 21 minute final.
RESULTS (All Finals)
Men's singles
Sourabh Verma (Ind) beat Daren Liew (Mas) 12-10, 12-10, 3-3 (rtd)
Men's doubles
Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Rian Ardianto (Ina) beat Chen Hung Ling-Wang Chi-Lin (Tpe) 11-6, 11-6, 11-13, 9-11, 12-10
Women's singles
Ayumi Mine (Jpn) beat Saena Kawakami (Jpn) 12-10, 7-11, 11-9, 12-10
Women's doubles
Yuki Fukushima-Sayaka Hirota (Jpn) beat Shiho Tanaka-Koharu Yonemoto (Jpn) 12-10, 11-5, 11-7
Mixed doubles
Tang Chun Man-Tse Ying Suet (Hkg) beat Ryota Taohata-Koharu Yonemoto (Jpn) 11-3, 11-7, 14-12
