Toby Penty did not think he could win the Scottish Open Grand Prix when he arrived in Glasgow but he produced a masterful display to see off Lucas Corvee at the Emirates Arena.
The Walton-on-Thames superstar has now won three titles this season after progressing serenely through the draw while the top seeds faltered.
And the 25-year-old saved his best until last, outplaying France’s Corvee to win 21-14 24-22 in just under an hour of intense badminton.
After the match, Penty dedicated the title to Dutchman Erik Meijs, who passed away last week in a car accident on the way to training.
“After Eric passed away last week, to be honest I did not train properly the next day. I am not going to say I knew him that well but I had a few conversations with him,” Penty said.
“He trained in Germany and Holland and no one had a bad word to say about him. He was on his way up and everything going for him so to think it happened on his way to training is a horrible thing.
“I would like to show solidarity, as much as everyone is competing against one another we have a lot of respect and time for one another.”
Penty stormed out of the blocks in Glasgow, proving too strong and too quick for Corvee as he wrapped up the opening game in quick time.
But the Frenchman found his confidence in the second and looked likely to take it when he moved just three points away.
However, Penty dug in and on match point delivered a superb smash to claim the title.
“It is pretty amazing, at the start of the week I certainly did not expect to go all the way and win it. It is just an unbelievable feeling and I had goose bumps at the end.
“I have had that walking on the court but I have never had it at the end of a match so it is a new feeling for me and I am over the moon to have won this title.
“I learned a lot from my semi-final match and I needed to be more dominant from the off and show I was up for it from the get-go and show I was not nervous even though I was inside.
“I think I did that so I am really happy. The crowd were great with me today, I did not know what to expect with the whole Scotland and England rivalry and I was wearing all white so I did not help myself.
“But they were really good to me and fed off me and gave me that little lift to get through the end because he was tired and I was tired.
“I did not want to play a third.”
The Scottish Open Grand Prix is being hosted at the Emirates Arena by BADMINTONscotland with support from Glasgow Life, Glasgow City Council and EventScotland, part of “VisitScotland’s Events Directorate. Tickets are on sale at www.badmintonscotland.org.uk or at the Emirates Arena box office.
