Straight from the Thomas and Uber Cups - Ayaka Takahashi/Misaki Matsutomo aim for their first champion titles!
Men’s Singles
Lee Chong Wei (VTZF2, SHB01LTD)(MAS) VS Tommy Sugiarto (ARC11, SHB87LTD)(INA)
With the second round of the YONEX Open Japan tournament over, it’s time for the quarterfinals, where fans can expect non-stop top-quality matches. But even for a quarterfinal match, it seems premature for world No.1 Lee Chong Wei to face world No.5 Tommy Sugiarto. Badminton is a sensation in both Malaysia and Indonesia, where it’s the national sport, and shuttlers receive the same type of celebrity treatment as pros from any other major sport worldwide. Representing Malaysia and Indonesia are YONEX aces Lee and Tommy, respectively. Fans can expect a battle for national pride in the quarterfinal between these two. Lee clearly has an advantage in being undefeated against Tommy in their 10 career meetings.. With Lee’s experience as a finalist in both the Beijing and London Olympics, Tommy seems to be the underdog, but remains positive. Tommy commented, “As far as skills go, there’s no difference between me and Lee; just a difference in mindset. I have to take him down.”
Fans will soon see if Tommy can grab his first win against the world champion, or if Lee will reign supreme once again. No matter what, these two will definitely take their skills to the next level in this quarterfinal match.
Women’s Singles
Carolina Marin (NR-ZSP, SHBF1NLTD)(ESP) VS Li Xuerui (CHN)
London Olympic gold medalist Li Xuerui (CHN) will play against the aggressive YONEX player Carolina Marin (ESP). While Xuerui may have a high chance of victory, Carolina’s hard smashes and overwhelming attacks show that she’s not willing to back down. “I know Li Xuerui is an Olympic champion, but I’ve played three games with her before, so I think I have a good chance,” commented Carolina. If the determined 20-year old can find an opening in this champion’s top-level game, it will be her first time advancing to a Superseries semifinal. If Carolina can find the right chance, her signature battle cry will definitely echo throughout the arena.
Tournament Result: Second Round
Men’s singles
[1]Lee Chong Wei (VTZF2, SHB01LTD)(MAS) def. Marc Zwiebler (ARC11, SHB-87EX)(GER) 21-13 28-26
[4]Kenichi Tago (JPN) def. Sourabh Varma (NR700RP)(IND) 21-9 21-6
[5]Tommy Sugiarto (ARC11, SHB-87EX)(INA) def. Sho Sasaki (JPN) 21-12 21-18
[8]Hu Yun (NR750)(HKG) def. Takuma Ueda (JPN) 21-19 21-17
Women’s Singles
[8]Carolina Marin (NR-ZSP, SHBF1NLTD)(ESP) def. Busanan Ongbumrungpan (NR-ZSP)(THA) 19-21 21-14 21-14
Sayaka Takahashi(JPN) def. [2]Wang Yihan (CHN) 21-13 21-16
Yip pui Yin (ARC11)(HKG) def. Zhang Beiwen (ARC11)(USA)
Men’s Doubles
[1]Mohammad Ahsan (NR900, SHB87LTD)/Hendra Setiawan (NR900, SHBF1NLTD)(INA) def. Takeshi Kamura/Keigo Sonoda (JPN) 21-23 21-12 21-15-17
Women’s Doubles
[3]Ayaka Takahashi /Misaki Matsutomo (JPN) def. Eefje Muskens/Selena Piek (NED) 21-19 21-18
[4]Reika Kakiiwa/Miyuki Maeda (JPN) def. Hoo Vivian Kah Mun/Woon Khe Wei (MAS) 21-18 21-15
Mixed Doubles
[2]Chris Adcock (VTZF2, SHB-01MX)/Gabrielle Adcock (VTZF2, SHB01LTD)(ENG) def. Mads Pieler Kolding/Kamilla Rytter Juhl (NR-ZSP)(DEN) 21-18 21-13
Michael Fuchs (VT80)/Birgit Michels (NR700FX)(GER) def. Liu Cheng/Bao Yixin (CHN) 21-18 23-25 21-19