Ajay Jayaram retains Dutch Open title

Indian shuttler Ajay Jayaram notched up a superb straight-game win over Estonia’s Raul Must in the finals to defend his men’s singles title at the Dutch Open Grand Prix here today.

Just three weeks after reaching his maiden Super Series final at the Korea Open, Jayaram continued his rampaging run as he defeated sixth seed and World No.48 Raul 21-12, 21-18 in a 34-minute lop-sided match.

Indian shuttler Ajay Jayaram notched up a superb straight-game win over Estonia’s Raul Must in the finals to defend his men’s singles title at the Dutch Open Grand Prix here today. Just three weeks after reaching his maiden Super Series final at the Korea Open, Jayaram continued his rampaging run as he defeated sixth seed and World No.48 Raul 21-12, 21-18 in a 34-minute lop-sided match. The 28-year-old Mumbai-born shuttler had lost to Raul way back in 2010, at the Austrian International Challenge, but a lot has happened ever since as Jayaram dished out a dominating show to walk away with the title without much ado.

In the opening game, World No. 26 Jayaram opened up a 4-0 lead early on and didn’t allow Raul to come anywhere near him as he extended his lead and eventually earned the bragging rights.

Raul, who had ended the run of another Indian RMV Gurusaidutt in the quarterfinals, showed signs of recovery in the second game when he turned the tables on Jayaram at 6-5 at the Topsportcentrum.

But the Indian quickly clawed back and broke off at 7-7 to keep his nose ahead even though Raul kept breathing down his neck. Jayaram, who is coached by Tom John at Bangalore, grabbed two match points first and then slammed the door on Must to clinch a deserving win. Jayaram had won the Dutch Open last year, his maiden title. This is the second title of his career.