It’s the first day of YONEX OPEN JAPAN 2012 on Wednesday, September 19th. Some young players, who are expected to be the next top 10 players, advanced to the second round.
A 18-year-old Danish Viktor Axelsen (VTZF) played the opener against Suppanyu Ayihingsanon(VT80) of Thailand. This is the third time for Viktor to face the opponent and he had won the past two matches. Today, Viktor won the first game by 21-13, but the opponent took the second by 21-19. After Viktor led 16-12, the Thai fought back to lead 18-17. In the tense atmosphere, Viktor attacked aggressively to finish the match by 21-13, 19-21, 21-19. Viktor commented about this tough match, “I’m happy to win the first round”. Since he lost the first round last year, he knew what to do to win the game, so he seemed to have more confidence than the opponent. He had a little bit disappointment about losing the second game, however, he expressed his positiveness for the next round against No. 1 seed Lee Chong Wei (VTZF). “I will enjoy and try my best!”
Viktor has been using VOLTRIC Z-FORCE. “My most favorite point is the balance.” He feels that the top heavy racquet provides a control, good feeling and of course, power generating.
In the women’s singles, a 17-year-old and No. 3 seed Ratchanok Inthanon (ARC10) of Thailand also won the first round against Japan’s Sayaka Takahashi by 21-12, 19-21, 21-19.
After winning the tough match, Ratchanok was so excited to advance to the second round in this big Superseries tournament. Ratchanok, who is the youngest player in the world top 10 ranking, is still eager to have more experience in the world. The opener was very tough because she was led by 14-19 in the final game, however, she focused on what she had to do, not each point. Finally, Ratchanok won the final game by 21-19 after 7 consecutive points.
Please look forward these young guns’ challenge for the future!
Tournament Results [Day 1]
Men’s Singles
[1]Lee Chong Wei (VTZF)(MAS) def. Anand Pawer (VT80)(IND) 21-13 21-9
[3]Simon Santoso (AT900P)(INA) def. Hsu Jen Hao (TPE) 21-15 21-11
[7]Taufik Hidayat (ARC10)(INA) def. Kashyap Parupalli (ARC10)(IND) 21-18 21-18
Viktor Axelsen (VTZF)(DEN) def. Suppanyu Avihingsanon (VT80)(THA) 21-13 19-21 21-19
Women’s Singles
[3]Ratchanok Inthanon (ARC10)(THA) def. Sayaka Takahashi (JPN) 21-12 19-21 21-19
[9]Ai Goto (VT80)(JPN) def. Mingtian Fu (INA) 21-9 21-19
Men’s Doubles
[5]Naoki Kawamae (VT70)(JPN)/ [5]Shoji Sato (VT80)(JPN) def. Tarun Kona (IND) / Arun Vishnu (IND) 21-16 26-24
Chris Adcock (VT80)(ENG)/Andrew Ellis(VT80)(ENG) def. Chung Jen Chen (TPE)/Yen Jui Lin (TPE) 21-14 21-12
Mixed Doubles
[5]Muhammad Rijal (ARC10)(INA) / [5]Liliyana Natsir (NR700RP)(INA) def. Ryota Taohata (JPN) / Ayaka Takahashi (JPN) 21-13 21-11