Hong Kong's Hu Yun fails at the last hurdle at the Singapore Open
World No 13 is beaten at the last hurdle for the third time in a Superseries event
Hong Kong's Hu Yun fell at the final hurdle again as his third attempt to win a Superseries men's singles championship ended like the rest - in defeat.
The world No 13 was beaten by Kento Momota of Japan in the final of the US$300,000 Singapore Open on Sunday, 21-17, 16-21, 21-15.
Hu had stunned world No 1 and reigning world champion Chen Long of China early in the tournament, but was nowhere near that standard yesterday, losing in 80 minutes.
Hong Kong's top player had previously reached Superseries finals - against Chen and former world number one Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia - but had been given little chance for a victory.
The match against the 22-year-old Momota was Hu's best opportunity of making the breakthrough. But having had to battle through three games in every match from the second round, the 33-year-old Hu could not produce the goods when it mattered in Singapore.
"I felt really sorry for Hu, as he has been doing a great job over the past five days," said head coach Tim He Yiming.