Using their YONEX NANORAY Z-SPEED racquets, Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong advanced to the final stage of the YONEX French Open in Paris.
Kien Keat and Boon Heong, ranked No. 6 in the world, played speedy rallies and earned fast smashes to reach the final. They had three tough matches en route to the final and the spectators were excited to watch their symbolic, powerful and unpredictable skills; they lost to Gideon Markus Fernaldi/Markis Kido in the final, 21-16 21-18.
In the semifinal of the men’s singles, Kenichi Tago defeated world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei (VTZF, SHB01LTD) for the first time in his career. Kenichi became the runner-up of the event after losing to Jan O Jorgensen, 21-19 23-21.
Indonesian Greysia Polii, also using her NANORAY Z-SPEED, advanced to the semifinal of women’s doubles by defeating world No.1 ranked Wang Xiaoli/Yu Yang of China. The world champion Chinese duo attacked with solid smashes, however, Greysia and her partner Nitya Krishinda Maheswari showed amazing defensive performances to win the nail-biting match 21-17 14-21 23-21. Their victory proved that Indonesian players can defeat Chinese badminton superstar players.
In the mixed doubles, the English pair Chris Adcock (VTZF)/Gabrielle White (VT80) also defeated world champions, Tontowi Ahmad/Liliyana Natsir in the quarterfinal. Chris and Gabrielle played a very cunning game to get their opponents moving around the court. Against their tough competition, the pair won the match in a straight set, 22-20 21-17.
Tournament Results - Finals
Men’s Singles
[4] Jan O Jorgensen (DEN) def. [3] Kenichi Tago (JPN) 21-19 23-21
Women’s Singles
[7] Wang Shixian (CHN) def. Porntip Buranaprasertsuk (THA) 21-18 21-18
Men’s Doubles
Gideon Markus Fernaldi/Markis Kido (INA) def. Koo Kien Keat (NR-ZSP, SHBF1NLTD)/Tan Boon Heong (NR-ZSP, SHBF1NLTD)(MAS) 21-16 21-18
Women’s Doubles
Bao Yixin/Tang Jinhua (CHN) def. [5] Tian Qing/Zhao Yunlei (CHN) 21-13 21-17
Mixed Doubles
[1] Zhang Nan/Zhao Yunlei (CHN) def. [2] Xu Chen/Ma Jin (CHN) 28-26 21-17