News
Featured Matches
2016.9.25 11:00
Men's Singles
| Lee Chong Wei (MAS) | VS | Jan O. Jorgensen (DEN) |
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Head-to-Head: Lee Chong Wei leads 16-1
Lee Chong Wei Aims for Momentous Sixth Title
World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei has made it to the YONEX OPEN JAPAN final without dropping a set. Facing off against the Malaysian for a chance at his first YONEX OPEN JAPAN title is Denmark’s Jan O. Jorgensen (World No. 5). With his sublime footwork, Jorgensen stands as one of the few European players with experience in several Superseries finals.
Chong Wei has the overwhelming lead head-to-head over Jorgensen at16-1. Known for his high mastery of the game across speed, power and technique, Chong Wei has wowed audiences the world over. Known for his vigorous play, Chong Wei bases his play around huge smashes followed by aggressive pushes at the net win points. His technique is truly that of the World No. 1
Jorgensen’s singular win against Chong Wei was in 2009. Since then, he has been on a 14-match losing streak against the Malaysian, and will no doubt go into the final with everything in his arsenal. “Yonex Open Japan is the first tournament after Olympics,” spoke Jorgensen, “I haven't played a tournament in a long time, so I’m hungry for a win.”
“I’ll prepare well for tomorrow,” said the Malaysian legend. Will he able to come out victorious in front of his beloved Japanese fans tomorrow? Another victory at YONEX OPEN JAPAN will be Chong Wei’s sixth—yet another momentous achievement amongst his many.
Fun Match Facts
Chong Wei’s Desire to Stay in the Game
We posed Lee Chong Wei with the following question: “Do you still find anything new when you play badminton?”
“Anything new? Not really,” said the Malaysian legend, who turns 34 next month.
While there is definitely a change in his physical strength, Chong Wei manages to keep winning big matches against young players with his skillful technique. Winning tournaments is not difficult for him anymore. “My dream is to win the BWF World Championships,” Chong Wei continued. With three Olympic Silver Medals and three Silver Medals from the World Championships, winning a Gold Medal is his long-standing goal. Why does Chong Wei choose to stay on the badminton court? Because he still has big tournaments to win.
Women's Singles
| Sun Yu (CHN) | VS | He Bingjiao (CHN) |
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Head-to-Head: Sun Yu Leads 3-1
Showdown between China’s No.1 and No.2
The 2016 Rio Olympic Games saw China go back home empty handed in women’s singles despite the nation’s storied history and past glory in the discipline.
“Of course we want to put China back at the top,” spoke both Sun Yu and He Bingjiao, World No. 11 and No. 15 respectively.
Li Xuerui, Wang Shixian and Wang Yihan retired after the Rio Olympics, leaving both Yu and Bingjiao as China’s new hopes in women’s singles. Whoever comes out on top in the YONEX OPEN JAPAN final will determine who will earn the distinction of China’s new women’s singles ace.
The two possess very different play styles. 22-year-old Yu is very orthodox, with great court coverage as a result of her 184 cm height and steady hitting. Meanwhile, 19-year-old Bingjiao switches between fast and slow movements, throwing opponents off rhythm to seal victory. “We hope the audience enjoys our unique mix of playstyles on the court,” spoke the Chinese teammates.
Who will win in the battle between orthodox and unconventional? Keep your eyes on the YONEX OPEN JAPAN final to find out!
Men’s Doubles
| Li Junhui/Liu Yuchen (CHN) | VS | Kim Gi Jung/Ko Sung Hyun (KOR) |
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Eyes on First Superseries Title
The outcome of the men’s doubles final between Li Junhui and Liu Yuchen (World No. 14) of China and Kim Gi Jung and Ko Sung Hyun will mean maiden Superseries titles for both pairs. However, while the young 21-year-old Chinese pair is excited in their first Superseries final, the Korean pair is a temporary team up of two top players who possess the confidence to win.
Despite expressing concern over their opponents’ 195 cm and 192 cm height, they know how to handle them. “We’re weak against drives, but if we keep the shuttle low we can probably win,” spoke the Korean pair, adept at low-altitude badminton.
“We’re tall, so our serve receives are unpredictable,” spoke the excitable Chinese pair, “be sure to also watch for our huge smashes!”
No matter who wins the final, it’ll be a first for both pairs on the court, and a first for the people in the stands watching. An experience you can only get at YONEX OPEN JAPAN.
Women’s Doubles
| Ayaka Takahashi/Misaki Matsutomo (JPN) | VS | Christinna Pedersen/Kamilla Rytter |
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The Big Olympic Re-Match
The Rio Olympics saw World No. 1 pair Ayaka Takahashi and Misaki Matsutomo pull off a miraculous win from behind over World No. 6 Danish pair Christinna Pedersen and Kamilla Rytter Juhl. They re-match at YONEX OPEN JAPAN—a meeting all the local fans have been waiting for.
It goes without saying that the Danes want revenge. Standing as the tallest pair in women’s doubles, they excel returning services from very surprising heights. Meanwhile, the opposing Japanese pair leaves no openings on the court. While Matsutomo keeps a sharp a watch at net, Takahashi comes in with ferocious attacks, paving the way to victory.
The Japanese pair is ahead 8-4 head-to-head, and are on a 6-match winning streak against the Danes. If they can win in the final, it will be their first YONEX OPEN JAPAN title in two years.
Mixed Doubles
| Ko Sung Hyun/Kim Ha Na (KOR) | VS | Zheng Siwei/Chen Qingchen (CHN) |
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Head-to-Head: Zheng/Chen lead 1-0
World No. 1 vs Junior No. 1
The World No. 1 Korean pair of Ko Sung Hyun and Kim Ha Na face off against World No. 35 pair Zheng Siwei and Chen Qingchen. That said, in the two pairs’ only matchup, the 19-year-old Chinese pair won 21-19 22-20.
Who are these Chinese youngsters? They dominated the junior circuit, and are China’s new bet to take on the world of pro badminton. Chen—the female half of the pair—appeared in this year’s Uber Cup, and has lots of expectations set upon her.
While at World No. 1 pair has lots of titles two their name, will this year’s YONEX OPEN JAPAN see the rise of the new generation?
