News
Match Reports
21th September, 2017
Today the second round of the main draw took place.
One of the attractive matches was Women' Singles between Nozomi Okuhara and Pusarla V. Sindhu which was same competition of World Championship in August and Korean Open last week. After the exciting rallies, Okuhara advanced to the quarter finals in front of many Japanese fans.Another remarkable one was Men' Doubles of Danish Boe & Mogensen versus Indonesian Setiwan & Malasian Tan. BWF # 1 ranked Dane showed their power and techniques to defeat the unique across-countries duo by 2-0 (21-8, 21-13).
So-called TAKA-MATSU, BWF # 1 ranked Japanese Women's Doubles pair, also beat the Indonesian Polii & Rahayu by 2-1 (21-15, 12-21, 21-15) with some difficulty and will play against their compatriot, Tanaka & Yonemoto tomorrow.(s)
The players advanced to the quarter finals tomorrow are follows:
(MS)
Son Wan Ho (KOR)
Lin Dan (CHN)
Viktor Axelsen (DEN)
Srikanth Kidambi (IND)
Lee Chong Wei (MAL)
Chou Tien Chen (TPE)
Prannoy H.S. (IND)
Shi Yuqi (CHN)
(WS)
Aya Ohori (JPN)
Chen Yufei (CHN)
Sayaka Takahashi (JPN)
He Bingjiao (CHN)
Beiwen Zgang (USA)
Nozomi Okuhara(JPN)
Carolina Marine(SPN)
Akane Ymaguchi (JPN)
(MD)
Takuto Inoue & Yuki Kaneko (JPN)
Ong Yew Sin & Teo Ee Yi (MAS)
Takeshi Kamura & Keigo Sonoda (JPN)
Vladimir Ivanov & Ivan Sozonov (RUS)
Kim Astrup & Anders Skaarup Rasmussen (DEN)
Marcus Fernaldi Gideon & Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo (INA)
Mads Conrad-Petersen & Mads Pieler Kolging (DEN)
Mathias Boe & Carsten Mogensen (DEN)
(WD)
Misaki Matsutomo & Ayaka Takahashi (JPN)
Shiho Tanaka & Koharu Yopnemoto (JPN)
Chang Ye Na & Lee So Hee (KOR)
Yuki Fukushima & Sayaka Hirota (JPN)
Naoko Fukuman & Kurumi Yonao (JPN)
Misato Aratama & Akane Watanabe (JPN)
Kim Ha Na & Hee Yong Kong (KOR)
Chae Yoo Jung & Kim So Yeong (KOR)
(XD)
Lu Kai & Huang Yaqiong (CHN)
Wang Yilyu & Huang Dongping (CHN)
Paraveen Jordan & Debby Susanto (INA)
Wang Chi-lin & Lee Chia Hsin (TPE)
Pranaav Jerry Chopra & Reddy N. Sikki (IND)
Seung Jae Seo & Kim Ha Na (KOR)
Lee Chun Hei Reginald & Chau Hoi Wah (HKG)
Takuro Hoki & Sayaka Hirota (JPN)
Losers among the high ranked player are as follow:
(WS)
Pusarla V. Sindhu (IND)
Ratchanok Intanon(THA)
(MD)
Liu Cheng & Zhang Nan (CHN)
Kenta Kazuno & Ayane Kurihara (JPN)
MS-17
Son Wan Ho (KOR) 2 (21-14, 21-18) 0 Lee Hyun Il(KOR)
Three times semi-finalist of BWF World Superseries this year (Malaysia, Indonesia, Korea) Son Wan Ho, who is also semi-finalist of TOTAL BWF World Championships 2017 and Korean superstar Lee Hyun Il made a conflicting nomination to the champion of DAIHATSU YONEX Japan Open in Tokyo today.
Son beating three times Lee in 2016 had a blazing start in the first game, however Lee, who knocked out twice the No.1 seeded Son in 2011, responded Son's attack calmly. Son's trademark jumping smash from round corner hit the opponent court 8 times, on contrasted with Lee's only twice. His creeping footwork on the court also distressed Lee performing a veteran shuttler with variety of skillful shots. The younger Korean was the first game up 21-14 with cross-drop no-touch ace shot from forehand corner.
Despite losing the opening game, currently at No.19 (BWF world rankings), Lee behind his compatriots Son (No.1) showed his obstinate will to go toward next round as a prime contender. Down 8-17 in the second, he took 4 consecutive points and then 5 consecutive points by 17-18. At 18-19, Lee whipped deciding smash, but unfortunately it slightly went side line out. The former Korean champ made disappointed exit in the 2nd round of the Japan Open.
MS-19
Viktor Axelsen (DEN) 2 (21-17, 21-18) 0 Kenta Nishimoto (JPN)
Denmark's Viktor Axelsen (BWF world rankings No.2) who was the last one standing as a world champion singler at the TOTAL BWF World Championships 2017 took on a challenge of the Japanese champion, Kenta Nishimoto (No.61 BWF ranked).
Viktor, who has achieved a childhood dream the last August, performed well today as a shining star received all of the envy from the world rivals and full of cheers from audience in Japan. He created an attacking show including 13 times smash aces in the first game and finished by 21-17.
Nishimoto, who won once the No.2 seeded Victor in 2016, attacked aggressively at the beginning of the second game to lead score by 5-1. However, the big Dane proved his technique has already reached to world top class like Peter Gade, one of the legend retired Danish player, and reversed score at the interval by 11-7. He demonstrated his skilled shots to Japanese fans, which includes wiping net kills, deceptive lift, and jumping cross cut from forehand corner. Viktor was given match point (20-17) by Nishimoto's fault at the net, and destroyed Nishimoto 's hope not long after (21-18).
Axelsen said "I think Nishimoto is a really strong opponent, and Japan has a lot of young, up-coming players. It's always really competitive. I need to step-up again." Nishimoto mentioned "I couldn't afford at all. I tried to play as hard as I could, but his smash was so steep and accurate more than I expected. I am training day by day and aiming to win strong players like Axelsen in the future." The Bronze medalist of Rio Olympics Axelsen continues to focus tomorrow's game against Srikanth Kidambi (IND) who made a sequence of ten straight wins over the two Superseries in Indonesia and Australia this year.
MS-20
Kidambi Surikanth (IND) 2(21-12, 21-11)0) Hu Yun(HKG)
BWF No. 28 ranked Hu Yun challenged No. 8 ranked Kidambi.
Hu showed his variety of techniques as tricky receiving also well considered placement of shuttle.
However, the speed of his footwork and shots were not enough to compete with those of Kidambi.
Kidambi defeated Hu rather easily with duration of 29 minutes.
MS-21
Lee Chong Wei (MAS) 2 (22-20, 21-17) 0 Tommy Sugiarto (INA)
Six times Japan Open champion, the finalist at every World Championships and Olympics since 2011, and also winner of YONEX All England Open 2017, Lee Chong Wei came back again on the center court in Tokyo to take 7th victory. Tommy Sugiarto (No.30 BWF world rankings), the strong attacking opponent, aimed to first win against LCW in 16th match since 2007.
The first game was finely balanced. Lee led the score at 10-7, the game rolled the other way around to 10-13 with Tommy's six consecutive great points. However, the 34-years-old Malaysian appeared to have rediscovered his confidence. The Indonesian got three game points by 17-20, but Lee saved them and earned 5 consecutive points by all attacking with his light-footed work.
In the second game, LCW sat pretty with a 13-8 lead. Mr. impregnable showed high standard performance as usual with six straight points. In beating Sugiarto 22-20, 21-17 for 48 minutes, LCW made progress toward a next round.
After the match, LCW commented "Today was better than yesterday. I concentrated to get each point in the end of the first game. I can get no satisfaction in every match as before, but I would like to enjoy playing at least for a couple of more years for the fans in the world."
WS-22
Nozomi Okuhara (JPN) 2 (21-18, 21-8) 0 Pusarla V. Sindhu (IND)
This is the third consecutive match played by Nozomi Okuhara and Pusarla V. Sindhu since August. Nozomi defeated Sindhu at the finals of Total World Championship, but was revenged by Indian lady at the finals of Korean Open last week.
In the first game both players started cautiously.
Sindhu was a bit aggressive, but Nozomi calmly returned the shuttle to the corners as usual. Tall Indian showed sometimes steep smashes, while Okuhara also stroked the sharp cross cuts and skillful feint shots. At the interval, Sindhu led by 11-9.
In the latter half of the game, Nozomi repeated the strong driven clears to force the opponent be staying in the rear court. Body attacking smashes were also effective to get the points. She caught up soon and reversed the game. From then on, the spectators enjoyed the breathtaking rallies, with the score moving from 15-11, 15-16, 16-18, before Nozomi took the consecutive 5 points to close the game by 21-18.
Sindhu said after the match, she lost the important rallies 4 times which influenced on the match today and also, she added that her intention of playing safely did not work well.In the second game, Sindhu repeated the unforced errors in the beginning, so Nozomi easily widen the lead by 9-2 and 11-4 at the interval.
As Nozomi said to the media that she could keep concentration, accordingly she was so consistent and stable, while Sindhu seemed losing passion a bit in the middle of the game. The second game finished by 21-8 in favor of Nozomi. A lot of supporting voice from the spectators in the gymnasium reached to ears of Nozomi which gave the more power to her, she mentioned. (s)
WS-23
Carolina Marin(ESP) 2(21-16, 21-13)0 Saina Nehwal(IND)
Nehwal started the 1st game with strategic placement hitting persistently high clear and cut shot to the 4 corners of Marin’s court and patiently receiving Marin’s smashes and drop shots.
Nehwal led to her 14-10. After that, Marin began to stop Nehwal's driven high clear at the middle court area to drop the shuttle near the net, utilizing her tall statue and prevented Nehwal's further development. Marin took 4 and 6 consecutive points and finally made cross net shot of high quality against Nehwal's short service to finish the game 21-16.
Nehwal seemed to have exhausted her energy to certain degree in the 1st game, and her speed of court covering became slower. She kept playing persistently both in offence and defense, but finally was defeated by the steep smash of Marin, Nehwal's receive of which went out of the side line. Marin closed the match 21-13.
MD-22
Marcus Fernaldi Gideon& Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo(INA) 2(21-13, 11-21, 21-18) 1 Takuro Hoki & Yugo Kobayashi
This was the fifth time for both duo to meet at the tournament. They had fought at OUE Singapore Open in April this year where Indonesian pair won by 2-0 games.
In the first game, Marcus and Kevin displayed their technique and physical ability, Kevin's tricky net shots and Marcus's widely court covering. Japanese had nothing to stop their play. All Indonesian needs was that they just play on their own terms. Marcus & Kevin got the first game by 21-13.
However, Hoki & Kobayashi reversed the situation in the second game. As Japanese pair became more patient on defense, the opponents lost their concentration and were careless in the rallies. Indonesian pair couldn't take back their pace after all, and Japanese pair close the second game by 21-11 easily.
In the final game, Indonesian recovered their pace and showed their good combination with the powerful smashes and the fine tricky shots. Japanese also played well and fought back time to time, however Indonesian pair was never caught up. Finally, Marcus & Kevin finishes the final game by 21-18. Japanese pair couldn't make revenge again.
Kevin said in the mixed zone after the match, he suffered from the delicate judgment of the umpire and the service judge. But he felt happy to win overcoming such hard situation.
MD-23
Mads Conrad-Petersen & Mads Pieler Kolding(DEN) 2(21-13, 21-12)0 Kim Won Ho & Seung Jae Seo(KOR)
Denmark duo completely controlled the match and beat Korean duo rather easily.
Though Korea aggressively kept attacking with fast drive shots and steep smashes, Denmark returned those to net area so calculated as difficult for Korea to attack by push shots.
Korea were forced to make net shot or high lob return, of which Denmark made deciding steep smashes. Also, Denmark's accurate long rob return to the back-court area were very effective to evade Korea's severe attack.
Denmark closed 1st game 21-13 with several consecutive points including 2 times of 5, and kept leading through 2nd game. At their 15-11, they showed very sophisticated cross net shot for their 16th point, and finally made deciding shot to opponent's open space to close match 21-12.
WD-20
Yuki Fukushima & Sayaka Hirota(JPN) 2 (21-12, 21-13) 0 Jongkolphan Kititharakul & Rawinda Prajongjai(THA)
Fukushima & Hirota who is silver medalist of World Championship overwhelmed Jongkolphan & Rawinda, No.14 of BWF Ranking Thai pair.
From the beginning to the end of the match, Japanese pair's combination of offensive never let opponents to earn the points easily.
Fukushima attacked from the rear court with fast smashes and Hirata kept a watchful eye on the chance in front court.
As expected, Fukushima & Hirota closed the match by 21-12, 21-13 in 42 minutes.
XD-17
Lu Kai & Huang Yaqiong (CHN) 2 (21-13, 21-13) 0 Yugo Kobayashi & Misaki Matsutomo (JPN)
The #2 BWF ranked and the top seeded XD duo of this tournament, Lu & Huang, competed with the relatively new Japanese pair of Kobayashi & Matsutomo.
In the first game, both duos started with much concentration, thus even the first rally was prolonged, but gradually the Chinese pair performed their skills as the typical mixed doubles players. The placements to the middle space of the court and the quick touched spins/net shots by Huang combined with the steep smashes and strong drive shots by Lu were so effective that Chinese pair easily led by 11-5 at the interval. Matsutomo sometimes showed her talent from the front court, but Kobayashi could not necessarily finalize the rallies. The first game was taken by Lu & Huang by 21-13.
The second game also moved similarly, Chinese always kept the lead the score by 5-1, 11-7 and 14-9 and closed by 21-13.
After the match, Huang said that they would like to win this title, but the adjustment of the combination and the creation of the new patterns through the real matches would be more important in order to level up their capability and to keep the top level position. In that sense the competition with new pair like today is always useful.
Lu added Misaki and Yugo are both top level women/men doubles players, therefore they have enough potential to become the strong mixed doubles duo. (s)
XD-19
Paraveen Jordan & Debby Susanto(INA) 2 (29-27, 16-21, 21-12) 1 Satwiksairaj Rankireddy & Ashwini Ponnappa(IND)
Paraveen & Debby pair ranked No.7 by BWF and was Runner-Up of Australia open 2017 played against young Satwiksairaj & Ashwini Indian pair at the second round on the main court.
In the first game, Indian pair kept attacking by fierce and fast smashes from 17-year-old Satwiksairaj repeatedly. On the contrary, Indonesian pair lost their concentration and built errors themselves. Indian pair took chance to almost closed the first game by 20-16. The situation is suddenly changed. Paraveen & Deddy concentrated on the rallies more and they saved the game point four times. The game was into deuce, and both players showed spectators the breathtaking rallies.
After 20-20, both pairs defended the game point totally seven times to the last, Indonesian pair got five opportunities and Indian pair got three opportunities. Indonesian pair with good experience, they kept concentration and took the first game by 29-27.
Same as the first game, Indonesian pair couldn't adjust Indian energetic play through the second game. Indian pair earned 5 consecutive points from 15-14 to 20-14 and closed the second game by 21-16.
However, in the final game, in reversal of the situation, Paraveen & Deddy recovered their pace and combination. Paraveen's sharp powerful smashes from the rear court and Deddy's quick covering at the front court proved that they are top ranker of Mixed Doubles. They took the final game by 21-12 with long duration of 66 minutes.
