Viktor Axelsen has regained his DAIHATSU Japan Open he won in 2017. A good sign with the World Championships just around the corner.
The Dane picked up his fourth title win of the year against a rejuvenated Jonatan Christie. Axelsen stormed out of the blocks and reached the first break at 11-0. Christie settled a little better, however, Axelsen’s attacking power was too much, finishing the first game 21-7.
The Indonesian then managed to work his way into rallies and pick his moments at the front court. Although, one of Axelsen’s most-lethal qualities is his adaptability and he found ways to get onto the attack once more, and closed out the match with a 21-18 game.
With a home World Championships around the corner, this win is symbolic of what he wants to achieve – a repeat of his 2017 glory in Glasgow.
History made
Beaten finalists last year, Yuta Watanabe/ Arisa Higashino delighted the home fans when becoming the first Japanese mixed doubles pair to win the Japan Open. They had to surpass the reigning champions, Dechapol Puavaranukroh/ Sapsiree Taerattanachai to do it.
The Thai pair made strong comebacks in each of the three games, but the Japanese duo were able to press the right buttons at the right time and won 17-21, 21-16, 21-15.
Number 7 for An
An Se Young, the new number one, marked the occasion with a seventh title in 2023. The young Korean was unmoved by He Bing Jiao’s deceptive play and won 21-15, 21-11. There is now a growing expectation that An will take the World crown next month in Copenhagen.
Revenge in the air
The Korean pair Kim So Yeong/ Kong Hee Yong were left hurt by their defeat in their home Korean Open final against Chen Qing Chen/ Jia Yi Fan last week. What better way to ease the pain with a Japan Open final win over the same pair.
Olympic bronze medallists Kim/ Kong were able to turn the tide against the Olympic silver pair and win 21-17, 21-14.
Olympic champions love Tokyo
Since their sensational win at the Tokyo Olympics two years ago, Lee Yang/ Wang Chi-Lin have been a shadow of themselves. Determined to prove that they can compete at the top again, they upset the home favourites Takuro Hoki/ Yugo Kobayashi to pick up another title in the Japanese capital.
Yang/ Wang secured a tight opening game and then ran away with it in the second to win 21-19, 21-13. Are the pair back to their best?