Hidayat, Hongyan clinch India Open titles

New Delhi, March 29: Indonesian favourite Taufik Hidayat swept to his seventh career win over Malaysia`s Muhammad Hashim in the India Open men`s final in Hyder abad on Sunday.The former world and 2004 Olympic champion grappled with the shuttle speed and the drift across the arena before winning 21-18, 21-19 against the 10th seed and ex-All-England champion.

"The problem was the shuttle was very fast," the world number seven said in a courtside interview. "Of course, I`m very happy to win my first title of the year." Hashim, who had lost all six previous matches with Hidayat, rallied to lead 11-10 in the second game but struggled with control, repeatedly hitting long before netting a return at match point. Earlier, French world number four Pi Hongyan won her first title for three years, the top seed rallying to a 17-21, 21-15, 21-14 victory over Malaysia`s Julia Wong in the women`s final. Hongyan won in just under an hour, finding her rhythm late in the decider to avenge a loss to the fifth seed at the Malaysian Open Super Series in January. "I`m very happy with this win," Hongyan said. "My last was at Singapore three years ago. I`ve played in many finals, but this will be good for my confidence." "I was not playing my best coming here, so I`m very happy", she added. Bureau Report