China's top men's singles shuttler Shi Yuqi celebrated his biggest victory of the season, outclassing Japan's Kento Momota 21-12, 21-11 in the final at the 2018 BWF World Tour Finals here on Sunday.
"I'm thrilled as I'd never beaten Momota, and to do it on this stage is very special. Momota is at the top of men's singles and everybody has been studying him," Shi said. "Most importantly, I can stick to what I had planned. To come through a strong group and then to win the title is very special."
The home favorite Shi was the All-England champion of the year, but suffered a tough defeat to Momota in the final of the World Championships in Nanjing, where he was hammered 21-11, 21-13.
"At the World Championships he wasn't reacting so fast at the net. My opponents have been studying my style. Maybe he was better prepared," Momota said.
"I made a few mistakes while playing at the net," the 24-year-old Japanese added, "His smashes were fierce and accurate. I was a bit taken aback by his smash and had no time to react."
China has claimed two other gold medals in the tournament as Wang Yilyu/Huang Dongping beat their compatriots Zheng Siwei/Huang Yaqiong to win the mixed doubles tile. Li Junhui/Liu Yuchen overcame Hiroyuki Endo/Yuta Watanabe of Japan in the men's doubles final.
In the women's singles final, India's Pusarla V. Sindhu took a sweet revenge of her defeat to Nozomi Okuhara in the 2017 World Championships final in Glasgow, beating the Japanese 21-19, 21-17 to win her first title, after losing four finals including the World Championships and Asian Games, of the season.
"I'm really proud, the year has ended on a beautiful note. People have been asking me the same question, asking why I always lose in the final. I think the question won't come again," the emotional Sindhu said after the match.
Japan's only triumph of the day came in the women's doubles final, as Misaki Matsutomo/Ayaka Takahashi defeated Lee So Hee/Shin Seung Chan 21-12, 22-20 to secure the title.
