News
Match Reports
22th September, 2017
Today the quarter finals of the main draw took place in front of the big spectators who formed a long queue even from the early morning at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.
The newly crowned Women's Singles World Champion. Nozomi Okuhara who competed against Beiwen Zgang (USA), 11th BWF ranked, advanced to the semi finals tomorrow where she will play against Spanish Carolina Marin. Marin, the gold medalist of Rio Olympic in 2016 and 2014/2015 world champion, defeated Akane Yamaguchi by 2-0 (21-18, 21-15).
Viktor Axelsen, Men's Singles World Champion, also beat Indian Kidambi Srikanth without any difficulty and will meet Son Wan Ho (KOR), currently #1 BWF ranked player, tomorrow.
As to the quarter finals of Women' Doubles, 5 Japanese and 3 Korean duos emerged. Unfortunately 3 matches were the competitions of same country. 3 Japanese and 1 Korean pairs advanced to the semi finals. The gold medalist of Rio and BWF #1 ranked, Takahashi & Matsutomo won against Tanaka & Yonemoto with 3 games match by 2-1 (21-12, 14-21, 21-13). Fukushima & Hirota, the silver medaled female duo of World Championship this year, also defeated the Korean Chang Ye Na & Lee So Hee through the fierce and long duration match. (s)
The players advanced to the semi finals tomorrow are follows:
(MS)
Son Wan Ho (KOR)
Victor Axelsen (DEN)
Lee Chong Wei (MAL)
Shi Yuqi (CHN)
(WS)
Chen Yufei (CHN)
He Bingjiao (CHN)
Nozomi Okuhara(JPN)
Carolina Marin(ESP)
(MD)
Takuto Inoue & Yuki Kaneko (JPN)
Vladimir Ivanov & Ivan Sozonov (RUS)
Marcus Fernaldi Gideon & Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo (INA)
Mathias Boe & Carsten Mogensen (DEN)
(WD)
Misaki Matsutomo & Ayaka Takahashi (JPN)
Yuki Fukushima & Sayaka Hirota (JPN)
Naoko Fukuman & Kurumi Yonao (JPN)
Kim Ha Na & Hee Yong Kong (KOR)
(XD)
Wang Yilyu & Huang Dongping (CHN)
Paraveen Jordan & Debby Susanto (INA)
Pranaav Jerry Chopra & Reddy N. Sikki (IND)
Takuro Hoki & Sayaka Hirota (JPN)
MS-25
Son Wan Ho(KOR) 2(21-15, 21-14)0 Lin Dan(CHN)
BWF No.3 ranked Lin Dan and No 1 ranked Son Wan Ho met on the quarter final's court too early. It, indeed, can be the semi-final or final round court.
Lin played in different image we have in mind and used mainly high clear, drop shots and net shots to place his shuttle to 4 corners of opponent's court.
1st game proceeded as seesaw game, till Lin's 12-9. Lin got 5th point by falling down and cross-returning Son's strong smash. Son's sharp attack and persistent receive forced Lin to make several errors and Son got 6, 2 and 4 consecutive points to close the game.
In the 2nd game, Lin from time to time used his characteristic steep and hard smashes to get his points. The game proceeded closely till Son's 10-9. After that Son showed his high performance attacking with swift and controlled smashes mixing several feint shots to net area.
Son got twice of 4 consecutive points and closed match 21-15 with well controlled smash which Lin could not return.
Head to head is Son 3- 13 Lin, and today Son added another memorial victory against Lin.
MS-26
Viktor Axelsen (DEN) 2 (21-17, 21-17) 0 Kidambi Srikanth(IND)
Viktor Axelesen with something noble as the Men’ Singles world Champion, showed excellent performance during the competition against Indian Kidambi who took the Super Series title of Men’ Singles in Indonesia and Australia consecutively this year August.
In the first game both players slowly started and watched carefully the opponent. They also seemed to find the condition of the court including the light and the direction or strength of the wind etc. Until the interval the score seesawed before Axelsen took the lead by 11-10. After then, Kidambi reversed by 16-13, because Indian player accelerated the speed and made the beautiful no touched feint shot and net in shot, while Axelsen also began to speed up the footwork and stroked the body attacking smashes. Dane caught up by 17-17. The next rally was important to decide the game, as the shuttlecock placed by Dane touched very slightly the back boundary line which was once called "outside" by line judge, but was corrected by Axelsen' challenge. Viktor finished the 1st. game by steep crossed smash.
After the side change, Axelsen was a bit frustrated as his clear shots and lob shots sometimes went beyond the back boundary line, however, he also stroked the fine straight smashes from both right and left end to Indian Kidambi for getting the points. Naturally the score of the second game was not one-sided, but it again moved one by one. Dane led by 11-10 at the interval and widened the lead to 15-12. Kidambi tried to resist the world champion by strong crossed smashes, but Axelsen was calmly received. Finally tall Dane showed the fine crossed smash from right end and the jumping smash aiming the opponent's body before the game was closed by 21-17. (s)
MS-27
Lee Chong Wei(MAS) 2(21-11, 15-21, 21-19) 1 Chou Tien Chen
Lee and Chou had fought in Yonex All England Open 2017 at Semi-Final, and Lee won by 2-1 in 59 minutes, which Lee became the champion of the tournament.
Lee hit the fast and steep smashes in the beginning of the first game, and he earned 7 consecutive points to 7-1. Chou couldn't catch up Lee's speed through the game in despite of showing his ability of wild footwork. Lee easily closed the first game by 21-11.
In the second game, Lee lost his pace. Chou changed to be more patient and careful, and his toughness led Lee's shot be inaccuracy. Lee failed to hit shuttles. Lee gave the second game to Chou by 15-21.
There are many scenes to exchange the sensitive net shots each other, he had advantage in controlling the net. However, Chou didn't permit Lee to earn points easily, and reached the interval by 11-8. After the score at 10-15 Lee' s behind, Lee overtook the score at once with 6 consecutive points. Also, he showed artistic diving receive from time to time and make spectators so excited. Chou never gave up until the end and nearly caught up Lee to 19-20. Finally, Lee finished the final game with push shot by 21-19.
Compared with the score between the latest match and this one, Chou could a bit fight back against Lee Chong Wei this time. But Lee didn't let Chou to achieve the revenge.
Lee said, "I just focused on rallies and never gave up until the score reached 21. I feel that my play is getting better through this tournament. I will play having more confidence in my play at Semi-Final" after the match.
WS-26
He Bingjiao (CHN) 2 (14-21, 22-20, 21-16) 1 Sayaka Takahashi (JPN)
In the first game, Takahashi seemed to be fully motivated with her great control both on attack and receive. At the interval, Takahashi lead by 11-7. After the interval, Bingjiao gradually started to move quickly from the corner to corner and earned 4 consecutive points to 13-17. However, Takahashi kept focusing on this game and closed it at 21-14.
In the second game, Takahashi attacked aggressively, still focused on the game and delivering her steep and straight smashes flawlessly. Bingjiao reacted well and returned opponents` shuttle near to the net. Her persistent defense and stable placement from front to rear court caused Takahashi's errors. This playstyle made her to earn consecutive points from 7-7 to 12-7, and 13-9 to 16-9. Takahashi remained calm upset and caught up until 19-19, before Bingjiao took the 3 consecutive points to close this game by 22-20.
Final game started with almost the same flow as previous the first game. They showed seesaw game until 11-7 and nobody could predict the winner of this game. Takahashi led her score 12-7, but momentum shifted to Bingjiao. Bingjiao`s high steep smashes equalized the score to 12-12. From that point, Bingjiao kept leading the score until closing the game at 21-16.
WS-28
Carolina Marin(ESP) 2(21-18, 21-15)0 Akane Yamaguchi(JPN)
Carolina Marin, BWF world ranking No. 5 challenged No. 2 Akane Yamaguchi.
1st game proceeded very close and tight as expected. Both players showed their excellent techniques both in offence and defense. Marin made feint drop shot to get her 5th point and Yamaguchi got back her 4th and 5th point by swift cross cut shot and reverse feint cut shot.
Yamaguchi led to her 14-13, but made 2 unforced errors and 1 mis-judgement of back boundary line which Yamaguchi challenged but failed, to the result of Marin's 16-14 leading. Both took point one another to Marin's 18-17, then Marin made strong straight smash to Yamaguchi's side line to get 19th point, and next her hair pin shot was net in to her game point. Marin closed the game 21 when Yamaguchi's cross smash went out of Marin's side line.
2nd game started with Yamaguchi leading 5-2, and Marin reversed to 9-6 with 3 and 4 consecutive points. Marin made several unforced errors and Yamaguchi again led by 10-9. From this point of the game, Marin started to play swifter than Yamaguchi and forced her almost to defend only to 19-14 including 4 and 3 consecutive points. Marin went fast to net area and made swift cross net foreside to foreside against Yamaguchi's persistent return to her various placement of high clears, drop shots and smashes to all around the court.
Marin closed the match 21-15 with her strong and steep cross smash.
MD-26
Vladimir Ivanov& Ivan Sozonov (RUS) 2 (24-26, 22-20, 21-19) 1 Takeshi Kamura &Keigo Sonoda (JPN)
BWF world ranking No.15 Russian pair, Ivanov & Sozonov won the game against world ranking No.4 Japanese pair, Kamura & Sonoda.
The Japanese pair made a good start, earning points until 6-2. However the Russian pair took advantage of their height and used steep smashes. They showed aggressive play and caught up by 10-10. Though the Russian pair kept their aggressive shots, the score seesawed by the Japanese pair`s swift low drive shots and drops until 20-20. During the long game, Tokyo metropolitan gymnasium was surrounded by spectator`s lots of loving cheers to the Japanese pair. Finally, the first game was closed by Kamura & Sonoda at 26-24.
In the second game, the Russian pair used variety of shots against the Japanese pair. The Japanese pair responded well to opponent`s new style and the game seemed see-saw battle again until the score went to 13-12. The Russian pair kept their aggressive play style with high steep smashes, making the score moving from 14-13 to 18-13. Kamura showed his talent from the front court to catch up the Russian pair, but the Russian pair didn`t allow to be taken the lead by the Japanese pair. The second game was closed by Ivanov & Sozonov at 22-20.
In the final game, both of the pairs didn't allow opponents` to lead and the score moved one by one until 9-8. The Russian pair used many pushes to the side lines. Sonoda could not reach the shuttle only with a step, which contributed Russian pair to earn consecutive points from 14-15 to 19-14. Kamura & Sonoda never give up to catch up, however the game was closed by Ivanov & Sozonov at 21-19.
MD-27
Marcus Fernaldi Gideon & Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo (INA) 2(21-19, 22-20) 0 Kim Astrup & Anders Skaarup Rasmuseen (DEN)
Marcus and Kevin began the first game in an aggressive manner by hitting continuous smashes and very-low drive shots, making their favourite and usual patterns up to the interval by 11-6. Even after the interval, Indonesian pair was rapidly taking turns of hitting jumping smashes at the back of the court and pushing the shuttle at the front. Though Danish pair, Kim and Anders stuck to the opponent with great tenacity up to 19-20, Indonesian took the 1st game in a calm way by 21-19, making the audience feel pins and needles.
In the second game, Danish pair showed the patient defence by controlling shuttles to the very end of Indonesian's court again and again, leading the score by 12-10. However, Indonesian pair kept smashes' power high and controlled them to Danish pair's front of their faces, which make it difficult to receive them. Though Danish pair reached the game point first by 20-18 in this 2nd game, Marcus and Kevin did not slack off the attacks with courageous shouts and got ahead of the opponent by 21-20. To the audience's surprise, Indonesian pair came into a big fortune of getting the last point deciding this match due to just the simple mistake by Danish players.
Marcus and Kevin commented at the mixed zone "We took the 1st game, so we could play the 2nd game with a relaxed attitude, even at the last moment of the 2nd game. Tomorrow, we just enjoy the match against another Danish pair, Mathias Boe and Carsten Mogensen."
MD-28
Mathias Boe & Carsten Mogensen(DEN) 2 (21-17, 21-19) 0 Mads Conrad-Peterse & Mads Pieler Kolding
For Mads pair, this was the revenge match, which they were defeated by Mathias & Carsten at the VICTOR Korea Open 2017. Higher ranked veteran compatriot, Mathias & Carsten proved the difference of strength with younger Danish pair.
From the beginning of the first game, Mathias & Carsten concentrated on every rally. Mads pair tried to breach the unbreakable defense, but veteran pair perfectly receive Kolding's steep smashes, and they connected fierce receive with opportunity to counter-attack. Mathias & Carsten never let Mads pair lead until the end of first game. Veteran pair closed this game by 21-17.
The second game went similarly to the first game. Mathias and Carsten adjusted even if younger pair changed the strategy. Mads pair couldn't find the way to attack effectively. In the end, Mathias & Carsten finished the second game by 21-19.
Mathias said at mixed zone, "All matches in every SS tournament are tough, but we had a lot of confidence after VICTOR Korea Open, so we were rather relaxing every rally."
WD-26
Yuki Fukushima & Sayaka Hirota(JPN) 2(18-21, 22-20, 21-18)1 Chang Ye Na & Lee So Hee(KOR)
Fukushima/Hirota(JPN) came back from the desperate pinch of 18-20(KOR's match point) by mistake of service by KOR and 20th points with positive attack of themselves. In addition to that, receiver's fault was declared by umpire to KOR to the game point of JPN. JPN finalized the game with the hard smash.
The 1st game proceeded close and tight and KOR made several consecutive points to close the game 21-18.
In the 2nd game JPN made so many unforced errors with their lob shots and high clears going out of the boundary line so KOR led to 16-9. After that, JPN endeavored to recover the game and caught up to 18-20 and turn the table abovementioned at 22-20. Final game, again, proceeded tight and all of the spectators cheered JPN pair. JPN kept leading throughout the game by 1 or 2 points, but KOR played their best to catch up to 16-16.
Many times, there were very long rallies followed by steep smashes or other attacking shots by both sides.
JPN made a beautiful feint drop shot to their 17th point and continued to hit push & smash to reach their match point. KOR tried to receive JPN's smash by drive shot which could not go over the net.
Fukushima & Hirota won the such a tough and breath-taking game and advanced to semi-final match with Japanese compatriot and BWF No. 1 ranked Matsutomo & Takahashi tomorrow.
WD-28
Kim Ha Na & Hee Yong Kong (KOR)2 (21-16,21-11) 0 Chae Yoo Jung & Kim So Yeong(KOR)
It was a feat of Kim/Hee. Fresh pair Korean pair Kim/Hee, successfully advanced to the quarter final, won WR. 18th compatriot, Chae/Kim in straight games.
In the first game, until 9-12, the game was to Chae/Kim. Chae and Kim both played aggressively from the forecourt which produced a lot of steep pushes and Kim/Hee were forced to play defensively. Kim/Hee caught up with the opponent and equalized by 13-13, Kim/Hee showed their potential power. Kim, who is talented at choosing the soft and fierce shots and amazing performance in forecourt, and Hee who has excellent physical strength to hit fierce smashes, made an excellent harmony to make powerful combination to attack. Puzzled by the Kim's unexpectable course and Hee's strong strokes, Chae/Kim started to lose ground. Chae/Kim tried to create openings with their fierce attacks, however Kim/Hee iron-clad defense didn't let them earn points. Kim/Hee closed the game, 21-11.
In the second game, Kim/Hee always led the game and they swept Chae/Kim 21-11.
XD-25
Wang Yilyu & Huang Dongping (CHN) 2 (21-16,16-21,21-16) 1 Lu Kai & Huang Yaqiong (CHN)
Lu Kai & Huang Yaquiong, the experienced Mixed Doubles duo, was beaten by the younger compatriot, Wang Yilyu & Huang Dongping at the quarter finals.
From the beginning of the first game, both pairs cautiously put the shuttlecock to the delicate places to avoid the hard hit by the opponent each other. The score moved almost one by one before the younger pair took the lead by 11-10 at the interval. In the latter half of the game, Wang tried aggressively to place the smashes to the different courses and Huang Dongping touched quickly to make chances in the front court. They widen the lead by 14-10, 18-15 and took the game by 21-16.
In the second game, the higher ranked duo showed their passion. Sometimes they got the long rallies with patience and took advantages by the quick and hard hits of drive shot. The second game was in favor of Lu & Huang Yaqiong.
However, Lu & Huang repeated again the unforced errors and they sometimes lost the rallies easily by poor services. Younger duo took the lead by 5-1, 8-4, and 11-6 at the interval of the 3rd. game. Dongping with much concentration made the miracle returns from the difficult zones and created opportunities for Wang to hit the killer shots. The younger pair put the senior compatriot away from the tournament by 21-16.
After the match, Wang Yilyu & Huang Dongping said their aggressive offence worked very well. The different speeded and the different course placements of the smashes were effective, while the opponent recently seems not performing well without any specific reasons with guess, they added. (s)
XD-26
Paraveen Jordan & Debby Susanto (INA) 2(18-21, 21-18, 21-16)1 Wang Chi-Lin & Lee Chia Hsin (TPE)
Without no loss of momentum from the time of getting the title in the VICTOR Korean Open last week, an Indonesian pair, Paraveen Jordan and Debby Susanto (#5 BWF ranked), have steadily stepped forward to the title of this tournament. Taking on the Indonesian duo, the young Chinese Taipei players, Wang Chi-Lin and Lee Chia Hsin (#23 BWF ranked), will fight a valiant battle today.
Chinese Taipei pair could successfully dash at the beginning of the 1st game, leading the score by 6-1. Through to the interval, Debby gradually started to move quicker at the front of the court and Paraveen speeded up his play, in particular, with more use of the quite steep smash. However, in the end of the 1st game, Wang changed his smash speed with much variety to try to break down a disciplined defence and got the 1st game by 21-18.
From the beginning to the interval of the 2nd game, Debby patiently received the continuous attacks from Chinese Taipei pair and Paraveen made the opponents run around by controlling the shuttles to the corner to corner. After the interval, both pairs showed offense and defence battles by turns up to 18-18. In the end, Wang put on a spurt with powerful smash and finally took back the 2nd game by 21-18.
In the deciding game, both of the pairs seemed to show their tiredness, inevitably compounded by moving around the court from the beginning of this match. The key of this match seemed to be how patiently women player received the aggressive attacks from men players, and, in contrast, how many points men players certainly earn, with hitting critical smashes. In the end, Indonesian pair put all of left power into the final rush and then closed this match by 21-16.
Indonesian pair commented at the mixed zone "The opponent pair was very speedy and men's smash was quite powerful. Our coach gave an advice of trying not to focus only on offence, but more on receives to lead them to a trigger of our stronger attacks. Among of all, we tried not to give up at all till the end of this match."
