Japan Open: Kento Momota earns redemption with a title win at home; Carolina Marin wins

Olympic Champion Carolina Marin successfully defended her title, while Kento Momota defeated Khosit Phetpradab in the men’s final to win the USD 70,000 Japan Open in Tokyo on Sunday.

Kento was suspended from Japan’s 2016 Olympic team and banned for over a year after being exposed for visiting an illegal casino. But making a return from the scandal that nearly ruined his career, the 24-year-old has been in top-form winning a flurry of titles.

Momota became the first Japanese player to win the men’s singles title at the Japan Open. He defeated Phetpradab 21-14, 21-11 in a lop-sided contest to win.

He sank to his knees after smashing his way to a victory. “I was just so overwhelmed at winning and the sense of what I achieved,” said Momota kissing the Japanese badge on his shirt.

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“I kept telling myself ‘a couple more points, a couple more points’ — and then finally it was over. The home support was a massive help,” he added.

“When I could see the finish line my hands were shaking. That’s how much I wanted it. This victory is for all the people who have stood by me through everything.”

Meanwhile, World Champion Marin defeated local favourite Nozomi Okuhara 21-19, 17-21, 21-11 in a marathon clash to defend the title she won last year after beating He Bingjiao in the summit clash.