LONDON February 2: Rajiv Ouseph is beginning to look a much more confident young man. He has taken two international titles, risen into the world's top 50, and now defended the English national title with as smooth and velvety a performance as a man who has won it many times before.

Richard Eaton

LONDON February 2: Rajiv Ouseph is beginning to look a much more confident young man. He has taken two international titles, risen into the world's top 50, and now defended the English national title with as smooth and velvety a performance as a man who has won it many times before.

Instead his 21-16, 21-15 success over his sparring partner Carl Baxter is only his second. At the age of 22 he can hope for many more, though before very long such things may become secondary to trying to ensure he can qualify for London 2012.

It was relatively level pegging both games until the coaching break at 11, and each time after that Ouseph pulled steadily away, leaving Baxter so irritated that at one stage the challenger got a code of conduct warning for stamping on the shuttle.

“Winning last year was very good, but I think retaining it is very difficult,” Ouseph said. “There was really a bit more pressure on me. There was pressure on me to win and I came through it.

Asked about his association with coach Aamir Ghaffar, the player he beat in last year's final, Ouseph said: “It looks like it's working well. He's known me a long time and he knows what I need.”

The point with which he reached 17-11 was typical of his elegant, authoritative formula. Flick lift to one corner, flick lift to the other corner, and, when the shuttle is returned to the net, a tight net shot to elicit a defensive lift from his opponent. That was despatched with regal calm with a round-the-head angled drop.

Ouseph went from 11-10 to 16-10 in a sequence which had Baxter, who recently overtook his compatriot in the world rankings, grunting and growling with displeasure. And Ouseph finished the match with one of its best rallies, containing a brilliant reaction block, some fast mid-court jabs, and a sudden smash winner.

Baxter, a Canada-raised player who obtained his British passport only a short time ago and only recently qualified for the tournament, was as disappointed as if he had been wanting to win the English national title all his life.

“It was a bit frustrating,” he said tersely. “I didn't play at my best,” he said “But Raj played well.”

He moves very well, and his game is clearly improving, so his time may yet come. Ouseph, meanwhile, may be nearly ready for greater things.