Anders Antonsen won his first tournament of the season at the TOYOTA Thailand Open 2026, prevailing over defending champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn in a dramatic final that lasted a marathon 97 minutes.

The Dane captured his first Thailand Open, keeping his wits about him in a final that swung one way and then another. The most dramatic of these shifts happened in the third game, in which Vitidsarn recovered from 1-6 down to take 11 of the next 12 points and appear headed for victory. However, Antonsen showed great character to keep chipping away at the lead, until he caught up at 15. From there it was a neck-and-neck battle, until Vitidsarn gave away the advantage with a serve that went long.

Antonsen capitalised on that opening to finally close out one of the most memorable finals of his career.

“It feels so incredible,” said Antonsen. “I’m lost for words right now. I don’t really believe it, because it was looking very bad in that third game, and also in the second, actually, (where) I was down most of the time. So, yeah, I’m amazed. I can’t believe it. I’m so happy, so thrilled. Amazing experience in there once again. Last year was insane as well, but to get the win this year feels incredible.”

Talking of the turnaround in the third, the Dane admitted he had struggled to find his focus after a draining second game.

“I was a little bit gone at that stage,” said Antonsen. “Actually, I wasn’t really focusing. I was trying to find my grip in the back, but I couldn’t find it, so my mind was everywhere else but on the match. But suddenly I was leading 5-0, and I was like, oh, wow, okay, I have a chance now. But then he caught up, and it actually looked bad when we changed ends. So, yeah, roller-coaster ride. I can’t believe it. It was so warm in there, the crowd was so noisy, and you’re not really able to think properly. Facing Kunlavut, as well, everything is difficult.”

Yamaguchi Back Atop Podium

Like Antonsen, Akane Yamaguchi too won her first title of the year, but in contrasting fashion. The Japanese was too quick and sharp for Chen Yu Fei. The Chinese did appear to find her bearings in the second game to take the lead, but Yamaguchi’s breathtaking retrieval skills wore Chen down and swung the match the Japanese’s way.

“Of course it was great to win the final and I’m very happy,” said Yamaguchi. “I’m thrilled to have won because I was able to show a good level in the match. In the first game, I felt that Chen played a little slow so I was able to use my greater speed. In the second game too, I played a similar speed and was able to win.”

Highlights

» Daniel Marthin made a memorable comeback after a year’s layoff due to injury, as he partnered Leo Rolly Carnando to the men’s doubles title over Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty.

» Bao Li Jing/Cao Zi Han achieved success in their first tournament as a pair, beating Rin Iwanaga/Kie Nakanishi 19-21 21-16 21-15 after trailing through most of the third game.

» Mathias Christiansen/Alexandra BØje won their second title in a row, following up on their European Championships crown with their first Thailand Open title. The Danes outplayed young Chinese Zhu Yi Jun/Li Qian 21-17 21-15.

→Results (Finals)