Tokyo – The Daihatsu Yonex Japan Open 2019 was full of storylines and success for #TeamYonex, as they took home gold medals in every category but one. The win means a third consecutive Japan Open title for Marcus F. Gideon and Kevin S. Sukamuljo, a second consecutive title for Kento Momota, a return to World No. 1 for Akane Yamaguchi and the biggest win of their careers for Kim So Yeong and Kong Hee Yong.
It was déjà vu in men’s doubles, as Indonesia’s “Minions,” Kevin S. Sukamuljo and Marcus F. Gideon, and “Daddies,” Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan met on a Sunday for finals showdown just as they did at the Indonesia Open last week. While Ahsan and Setiawan gave them slightly more trouble than last week, even pulling ahead by a couple points toward the end of the second game, the results were also similar to last week and Sukamuljo and Gideon chalked up the quickest win of the finals, 21-18, 23-21 in 36 minutes.
World Champion and reigning World No. 1 Kento Momota (JPN) found a return to form back on home ground, after stumbles at the Sudirman Cup and Indonesia Open. He added a fourth tour title this year to his résumé with a convincing defeat of Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie. Momota jumped out to early leads in both games and never trailed as he collected his second consecutive Japan Open trophy, 21-16, 21-13, in 45 minutes.
In women’s singles, Akane Yamaguchi (JPN) faced off against fellow “Bird Japan” teammate Nozomi Okuhara for the 19th time in their World Tour careers. Yamaguchi has been playing superb badminton of late, coming off a Super 1000 win last week at the Indonesia Open. That did not change this tournament, as it took her just two games to claim her second Japan Open title. While Okuhara certainly challenged her in the second game, even taking an early lead, Yamaguchi’s game was too good, and the final result was 21-13, 21-15. With this win, Yamaguchi acquires enough points to displace Tai Tzu Ying (TPE) at the top of the rankings and return to World No. 1. When the new rankings are announced on Tuesday, July 30, Team Yonex will hold the top spots in men and women’s singles and doubles.
In women’s doubles, the World No. 13 pair from Korea, Kim So Yeong and Kong Hee Yong, upset current World Champions and World No. 2 pair Mayu Matsumoto and Wakana Nagahara of Japan. Despite the disparity in their world rankings, the Korean pair now holds a 3-2 advantage in their head-to-head meetings and seemed clearly the ones that came to play. They put away the Japanese in just 43 minutes, 21-12, 21-12.
For full match results, go here.
Kevin S. Sukamuljo: ASTROX 88 S, AEROBITE BOOST, POWER CUSHION 65 Z 2
Marcus F. Gideon: ASTROX 88 D, BG65 TITANIUM, POWER CUSHION AERUS 3
Kento Momota: ASTROX 99, AEROBITE, POWER CUSHION 65 Z 2
Akane Yamaguchi: ASTROX 77, BG66 ULTIMAX, POWER CUSHION 65 Z 2
Kim So Yeong: ASTROX 88 D, BG66 ULTIMAX, POWER CUSHION AERUS 3
Kong Hee Yong: DUORA 10 LT, BG66 ULTIMAX, POWER CUSHION AERUS 3