News
First round of the match
September 20 (Wed)
You can see the game of the silver medal game of the Rio Olympics with after 5 tickets.
LEE Chong Wei and PUSARLA V. Sindhu will play
Finally, the qualifying is over and the main game will be on from the 20th (Wednesday). In the first round many players are not yet accustomed with the ground and overall look, and often more experienced and s skillful players get defeated by unexpected challengers. Such a dramatic scene may be seen on the first day.
However, for many people it is not easy to visit the venue during the daytime on weekdays. So, during the three days from September 20 (Wednesday) to Friday 22 (Friday), "After 5 tickets" with which you can enter at 1000 yen after 17 o'clock are also sold this year as well.
There are many good games scheduled, and on the 20th (Wednesday) stars such as LEE Chong Wei (Malaysia) and PUSARLA V. Sindhu will be playing. Why don't you come over to Tokyo gymnasium to see games after work or school?!
⦿ Men's Singles
LEE Chong Wei（Malaysia） VS WONG Wing Ki Vincent（Hong Kong, China）
＊win-loss record: LEE Chong Wei 7 wins 0 losses
LEE Chong Wei (WR 7th), who has won men's singles 6 times, the most number ever, will play against 27-year-old WONG Wing Ki Vincent (WR 13th) in the first round.
For LEE Chong Wei who set for himself the goal for 2017 to win the world championship, it ended in the first game losing. Nevertheless, 34-year-old Legend said, "I have a special attachment to Japan. I would like to win for the seventh time so I came to Japan," he said about the reasons for joining YONEX Open Japan. For LEE Chong Wei this is the first tournament to appear after the World Championship, so he is expected to fight the first round carefully.
In contrast, WONG has never won to Lee Cheong Way, but he will fight with his full power especially at the first round, known for surprises where anything can occur. He will counteract the speed and powerful pitch of LEE Chong Wei with an angular smash from his 182 cm height.
Who will be able to reach the skies for Tokyo gymnasium where anything can happen?
⦿Check LEE Chong Wei Profile and racket
http://www.yonex.co.jp/badminton/players/post.html
⦿ Men's Singles
Viktor AXELSEN (Denmark) VS Tanongsak SAENSOMBOONSUK (Thailand)
＊win-loss record: Viktor 2 wins and 0 losses
The Rio Olympic Bronze medalist Viktor AXELSEN (WR 2nd), who won the world championship in August as European player for the first time in 21 years, will face the difficult enemy from the first round. His opponent will be Tanongsak SAENSOMBOONSUK (WR 14th) who won the Danish Open last year, first Super Series victory. 26 years old player from Thailand is left handed attacker known for tough hairpin shots by sending which he is looking for a chance to attack.
On the other hand, AXELSEN who takes advantage of his tall body of 194 cm in attacks and has confidence in playing near the net.
AXELSEN has shared his current feelings: "I won the world championship but I am hungry for a new title, of course I want to win this championship".
It seems that the direction of winning and losing will largely depend on which of the players will be able to control the battlefield in front of the net.
＊ Check Viktor AXELSE profile and racket.
http://www.yonex.co.jp/badminton/players/post-5.html
⦿ Women's singles
Carolina MARIN (Spain) VS CHEN Xiaoxin (China)
＊win-loss record: CHEN Xiaoxin 1 win 0 losses
"As I will be facing a strong opponent from the first round, I will have to work hard".
There is a reason for Rio Olympics gold medalist Carolina MARIN (WR 5th) for carefully choosing her words. Her opponent to compete against in the first round is 19 years old CHEN Xiaoxin, ranked 18th in the world. MARIN suffered a defeat in 3rd game with score 20-22 to this youngster in the first round of Indonesia Open in July.
CHEN Xiaoxin has not made remarkable results in the Super Series but has won the Swiss Open Grand Prix Gold Tournament this March. In the final match, she defeated friendly rivalry of the same age CHEN Yufei (China, WR 10th), bronze medalist of the World Championship held in August. It can be said that CHEN Xiaoxin has the skills those of the world championship medalist class.
Who will win, the gold medalist of the Rio Olympics or the next generation of Chinese ace that wishes for the title? Fierce fight is expected.
＊Check Carolina MARIN profile and racket.
http://www.yonex.co.jp/badminton/players/post-8.html
⦿ Women's singles
PUSARLA V. Sindhu (India) VS Minatsu MITANI（NTT East Japan）
＊win-loss record: 2 wins and 2 losses each
The Rio Olympics Silver medalist PUSARLA (WR 4th) will play against 2013 Japan champion MITANI (WR 19th).
Looking at the world ranking, PUSARLA looks overwhelmingly advantageous, but it is not the case.
The past match results of 26-year-old MITANI and 22-year-old PUSARLA were 2 wins and 2 losses. PUSARLA won at the Korea Open held last week, but the game was long to continue into third game. MITANI who says "I do not want to lose to anyone in persistence" could withstand PUSARLA's storm only that far.
In addition, PUSARLA was fighting against Nozomi OKUHARA (Nihon Unisys) at the Korea Open Final on 17th September. Although OKUHARA was defeated which was a revenge of the world championship from PUSARLA, but OKUHARA is also good at long rallies. PUSARLA must be very exhausted.
PUSARLA said this before the first round. "Japan is home of MITANI and it will be a tougher game than in Korea. I need to play cautiously."
Will it be sharp angle shots from 179 cm height of PUSARLA or preciseness of MITANI to lead to the victory in this game? We are all full of attention.
＊Check PUSARLA profile and racket.
http://www.yonex.co.jp/badminton/players/post-27.html
＊Check MITANI profile and racket.
https://www.ntt-east.co.jp/symbol/badminton/contents/mitani.html
⦿ Women's singles
Sayaka SATO（YONEX） VS HE Bingjiao (China)
＊win-loss record: 1 win and 1 loss each
Japan's SATO (YONEX · WR 14th) who could overcome the regret of not being able to play at the Rio Olympics by becoming Japan's best in 2016. She will be facing last year's champion HE Bingjiao (WR 7th).
Win-loss record of the two players is a draw of 1 win and 1 loss, but it was SATO who won the most recent game between them. The two have faced each other in the first round of the Indonesian Open this July. It was SATO who won the title at that time, and we can say it is "such a waste" Sato will be playing the first match against last year Champion, but for audience it surely will become a game to enjoy.
What's also interesting about this game is that both players are left-handed. However, the characteristics of SATO is in the powerful hit, whereas HE Bingjiao's distinctive quality lies in the high-level racket skills.
Splendid player SATO and technician HE Bingjiao, which one will win? It seems that a high-level game will be unfolded.
⦿ Women's singles
Akane YAMAGUCHI（Saishunkan） VS LEE Jang Mi (Korea)
＊win-loss record: YAMAGUCH 1 win and 0 losses
Akane YAMAGUCHI (WR 2nd ) from Japan will be starting from the good position of the 2nd seed this time. Of course, she is aiming for the victory since 2013.
When Yamaguchi won for the first time in 2013 she was only 16 years old and 3 months. It was not only a victory but she updated the youngest victory record in the Super Series as well. This world top class player is breaking through challenges with her small 156 cm body which is attracting the badminton fan's heart.
Such YAMAGUCHI turned 20 this year. Frequenting Super Series tournaments and achieving great results in each tournament has earned her 2nd place in World Rank in March of this year.
The opponent of the first round is Korea's LEE Jang Mi (WR 31st ). Second strongest player from Korea is 23 years old. She won the second place by defeating Aya OHORI (Tonami Transportation) of Japan in the semi-final game in Osaka International Competition in April of this year.
How would YAMAGUCHI receive and handle Korean play style is the key point to determine the outcome of this game.
＊Check YAMAGUCHI profile and racket.
https://www.saishunkan-badminton.jp/archives/member/2323
⦿ Men's doubles
Marcus Fernaldi GIDEON／Kevin Sanjaya SUKAMULJO (Indonesia) VS Chirag SHETTY／Satwiksairaj RANKIREDDY(India)
＊win-loss record: GIDEON／Sanjaya 1 win 0 losses
GIDEON / Sanjaya (third place in WR) who won the Super Series 4 times this year and will aim for the first victory are to play against Indian SHETTY / RANKIREDDY (WR 39th) who won the qualifying games.
In Indian pair, SHETTY is 20 years old, RANKIREDDY is still 17 years old. In qualifying, they won over the Japanese HASHIMOTO / SAEKI with 14-21, 22-20, 21-18 and they seem to be strong in close battle.
The winning probability seems to be high for the Indonesian pair who is said to be the most skillful in the men's doubles of the world right now, but the young pair very vigor and energetic. Men's doubles game can be unpredictable so Indonesia pair should be cautious all the time. Especially RANKIREDY who is on the stage at the early age of 17, may have a big growth potential in the future.
It should be interesting to check what kind of challenge Indian pair will do.
＊Check GIDEON profile and racket.
http://www.yonex.co.jp/badminton/players/post-29.html
＊Check Sanjaya profile and racket.
http://www.yonex.co.jp/badminton/players/post-30.html
⦿ Men's doubles
Mathias BOE／Carsten MOGENSEN (Denmark) VS Marcus ELLIS／ Chris LANGRIDGE (England)
＊win-loss record: BOE／MOGENSEN 1 win 0 losses
1st in the world rank BOE／MOGENSEN will be playing against bronze medalist of the Rio Olympics ELLIS／LANGRIDGE（WR 24th ）.
ELLIS／LANGRIDGE pair is not high in the world ranking in 24th place, but they are the players who put their feelings to the forefront and shuttle is often a big hit. For them the Rio Olympics was exactly such game of "a great success".
In contrast to BOE / MOGENSEN, 37 years old and 34 years old, it is a pair regularly remaining till later stages of the super series with high racket skills as a weapon.
Although it seems to be in favor for this pair, again, the "explosive power" of ELLIS / LANGRIDGE is something to watch for.
If LANGRIDGE can lead ELLIS to attack in front of the net, there may be a chance to win.
＊Check BOE profile and racket.
http://www.yonex.co.jp/badminton/players/post-11.html
＊Check MOGENSEN profile and racket.
http://www.yonex.co.jp/badminton/players/post-17.html
＊Check ELLIS profile and racket.
http://www.yonex.co.jp/badminton/players/marcus-ellis.html
＊Check LANGRIDGE profile and racket.
http://www.yonex.co.jp/badminton/players/chris-langridge.html
⦿ Women's doubles
Kamilla Rytter／Christinna PEDERSEN (Denmark) VS CHAE Yoo Jung／KIM So Young (Korea)
＊win-loss record: Rytter JUHL／PEDERSEN 2 wins and 0 losses
Rytter JUHL / PEDERSEN (WR 3rd) who finished with a silver medal at the female doubles final of the Rio Olympic games against TAKAHASHI / MATSUTOMO (Nihon Unisys), won over the TakaMatsu pair at the last year's YONEX Open Japan. 1st round they will be playing against Kore's 4th strongest pair.
CHAE / KIM (WR 18th) is a 22-year-old & 25-year-old pair who started playing as a pair from 2015. Korean players are traditionally strong and persistent, known for being good at rolling out any trouble and finally achieving victory. The Danish pair must be on alert not to let game to unfold in such manner.
Let's pay attention to this battle to see how the silver medalist of the Rio Olympics will not let it turn into a long rally.
⦿ Check Rytter JUHL profile and racket.
http://www.yonex.co.jp/badminton/players/post-13.html
⦿ Check PEDERSEN profile and racket.
http://www.yonex.co.jp/badminton/players/post-14.html
⦿ Mixed doubles
Paraveen JORDAN／Debby SUSANTO (Indonesia) VS HAN Chengkai／DU Yue(China)
＊First match
If speaking of the world ranking, it is going to be a game of 7th ranked vs 135th. Despite the difference of over 100 in their world ranking, 2016 All England Open champion pair from Indonesia are not being seen as a pair that could be easily win over by the opponent
Because HAN won the men's doubles of the world junior last year, DU, the mixed doubles of the same tournament. Many of the World Junior Champions are known to develop into active players and play at Olympics as well, so this China pair is an opponent to be cautious off.
The life line of the Indonesian pair is the sharpness of reading of the shuttle movement by experienced front-line player SUSANTO. Victory will depend how he moves highly athletic JORDAN.
Both players will be meeting for in the first time in this match, and we expect to see a tense game.
⦿ Mixed doubles
Chris ADCOCK ／Gabrielle ADCOCK (England) VS LEE Yang／HSU Ya Ching (Taipei)
＊win-loss record: ADCOCK／ADCOCK 1 win and 0 losses
C. ADCOCK / G. ADCOCK (WR 4th) who won the bronze medal in the August World Championships are in the third seed and will play against LEE / HSU (WR 29th) of Taipei.
As can be seen from the name, C. ADCOCK / G. ADCOCK are husband and wife. The pair who took a silver medal at the World Junior Championship in 2007 got married in 2013 the following year after reuniting as a badminton mixed doubles pair.
Gabrielle 's net play is brilliant and leads to a left-handed Chris' strike from the forehand to make it the game. In a tense scene, the opponent releases a shuttle to the back side, which is a weak point of right handed, but for Chris it is on his fore side, which is easy to strike.
For the challenging pair LEE／HSU the most important factor will be not to fall into England pair's winning pattern.
⦿ Check Chris ADCOCK profile and racket.
http://www.yonex.co.jp/badminton/players/post-18.html
⦿ Check Gabrielle ADCOCK profile and racket.
http://www.yonex.co.jp/badminton/players/post-19.html
＊WR stands for world ranking (as of September 14)
