Korea Masters: Momota in Year’s First Final
Former No.1 Kento Momota earned himself a shot at his first title in two years as he beat Lei Lan Xi in the semifinals of the Korea Masters 2023 on Saturday.
· BWF STAFF
Momota’s previous best this season was a semifinal finish at the German Open 2023 in March, but that was the exception in an otherwise bleak season, for he has lost in the first round of eight events.
The unseeded Japanese, now ranked 52, beat Wang Po-Wei, Kai Schaeffer, Soong Joo Ven and Lei Lan Xi on his way to the title round, and takes on compatriot Koki Watanabe in the final. It will be his first final since the Malaysia Open last July. If he does beat Watanabe, it will be his first title since the Indonesia Masters in November 2021.
Swiss Open winner Koki Watanabe made the final beating third seed Wang Tzu Wei 21-15 21-14.