Gilmour completes brilliant week by claiming SaarLorLux Open title

Kirsty Gilmour soared to the second title of her decade-long career on the BWF World Tour, outclassing sixth seed Yvonne Li to win the SaarLorLux Open in Germany.

The Scot claimed the scalp of reigning Olympic champion Carolina Marin in the semi-finals and picked up where she left off in the final to beat the German 21-10, 21-17.

Gilmour is the only British player to have won a singles title in the three-year history of the BWF World Tour, adding to her victory on home soil at the Scottish Open in 2018.

The 27-year-old imposed herself on the home favourite to go 7-1 up, found fortune on the net cord to lead 11-5 at the first interval and wrapped up the opening rubber with a well-judged backhand.

Her tactic of repeatedly drawing her taller opponent to the net worked a treat until Li fought back to take a 10-7 lead in the second game, taking an 11-9 advantage into the interval.

The rivals were locked level at 17-17 but Gilmour smashed with increasing authority and drifted a shot down the line to seal the result, roaring with delight at the winning moment.

Gilmour's triumph added to a successful return to the court for British stars with Marcus Ellis and Chris Langridge taking the doubles title at the Denmark Open last month.