Japan's Kento Momota ends long 'final' drought by reaching Korea Masters 2023 summit clash

This the former World Champion's first final in over a year at BWF level tournaments.

Japan's Kento Momota has halted a barren run of 497 days after reaching the final of the BWF Korea Masters 2023. Momota, 29, beat China's Lei Lan Xi in straight games to enter the final of a BWF tournament for the first time in over a year. His win in straight games (21-19, 21-10) ensured that this will be the first time since the Malaysia Open title match in July last year that Momota will be in the final of a BWF World Tour level tournament.

A two-time former World Champion, Momota, has endured a torrid run having failed to reach the final of a single BWF World Tour tournament since July last year. In fact, his appearance at the Malaysia Open was the only final Momota played last year and that was his first since the Indonesia Masters final in November 2021, which was the last season he reached the final of more than one BWF level tournament.

Against Lei Lan Xi, Momota did not have to sweat much as he had easy outing throughout the BWF Korea Masters 2023. All the matches he won were completed in straight games.

Momota's career took a downfall after he suffered injuries due a car accident in 2020. Ever since, he has failed to get back to the momentum he had prior to the accident. With Covid-19, his presence on the court was halted for a larger period and his form took a steep curve downwards. The 29-year-old was knocked out in the group stage of Tokyo Olympics after losing to the unseeded South Korean Heo Kwang-hee.

A few months later, he finished second after losing to Viktor Axelsen in the Denmark Open. He capped off the 2021 season by winning the Indonesia Open, his first title post the injury. Momota continued to have a sub-par season which has continued to date. However, Momota has now entered the final of the Korea Masters and will be up against countrymate Koki Watanabe.

The two met last time in the opening round of the Japan Open where Watanabe had the last laugh by defeating Momota (13-21, 21-16, 21-13). Post the German Open, this is the first time the Japanese has gone past the quarterfinals stage.