Jayaram pips Igarshi to enter final

India's Ajay Jayaram stood a step away from his first title of the season as he made it to the final of the Vietnam Open after defeating Japan's Yu Igarashi in straight games here on Saturday.

The 30-year-old Indian, who is making a comeback after recovering from a hamstring injury he suffered last year, saw off seventh seed Igarashi 21-14, 21-19 in a 34-minute match.

Jayaram, who had reached the final at White Nights last month, will face Indonesia's World No 79 Shesar Hiren Rhustavito in the title clash of the USD 75,000 BWF Tour Super 100 tournament.

Shesar, who had won four consecutive Indonesia International tournament, outwitted India's Mithun Manjunath 21-17, 19-21, 21-14 in a match that lasted 59 minutes here.

Jayaram, a former World No 13, was clinical in the opening game as he kept distancing himself from his rival after opening up a slender 3-1 lead at the start. He held a 11-8 advantage at the interval.

After the break, Jayaram jumped to a 15-8 lead by reeling off five straight points. Igarashi tried to make a comeback but the Indian continued to march ahead to pocket the first game.

In the second game, Igarashi opened up a 4-1 lead initially but Jayaram clawed his way back with three points. The duo went neck and neck before Jayaram held a 11-10 advantage at the breather.

After the break, Jayaram collected five points on the trot to jump to a 16-11 lead. The Japanese again recovered to 18-19 but the Indian shut the door on his opponent.