Badminton news: Ajay Jayaram finishes runner-up at Belgian International Challenge

India's Ajay Jayaram finished runner-up at the Belgian International Challenge after going down in straight games to Malaysia's Ng Tze Yong in the men's singles final here on Saturday.

The former world no 13, lost 14-21 to the 21-year-old Ng Tze Yong in the summit clash of the four-day tournament. Although Ng Tze Yong is ranked 74 in the world he went on the way to the finals.

On way to the finals, fifth seed Jayaram, who is currently ranked 63, had beat Kim Bruun of Denmark in the semifinals. And he defeated Japan's Hashiru Shimono in the quarter-finals on Friday.

Among other Indians in the fray, Subhankar Dey and Aakarshi Kashyap had lost in the quarter-final stage.

Also read: French Open Badminton 2021: PV Sindhu And Lakshya Wins, Saina Retires Mid-Game

While Subhankar lost 15-21 21-8 15-21 to Yusuke Onodera of Japan, Aakarshi went down 12-21 11-21 to Japan's Riko Gunji in the women's singles.