Exactly, they're starting to gear up for the biggest sporting event to carve double successful, as the host & achievement. I believe Japan will eye top 5 in overall OG medal standing. Japan and German as well have most representatives in today's final, followed by China and England with two slots. There're three doubles specialists who have chance to scoop two titles here, Marcus Ellis, Mark Lamsfuss and Isabel Herttrich. As predicted Li Xuerui will face stern test to win back to back WS crown, Sayaka Takahashi who looks really determined to claim third title in BWF World Tour this year. Second seed Takahashi eliminates less-experienced China youngster Cai Yanyan in comprehensive victory, 21-17 / 21-16. The Olympic Champion Li XR produces many errors and drops second game but back to business to seal the match, 21-11 / 9-21 / 21-12. Japan qualifier and debutant, the left-hander Minoru Koga powered past Kim Bruun yesterday. Only taking part one tournament prior to CAN Open, being semifinalist in Osaka IC last April, Koga takes a big leap to enter Super 100 tournament final. Minoru Koga v Lu Guangzu will be interesting tie to follow, both players have same age, born in 1996 and still looking to gain international tournament exposures. Lu once again completes his match with rubber games to overcome Frenchman Thomas Rouxel in semifinal. Ayako Sakuramoto/Yukiko Takahata are clear favourite to nail WD crown against Herttrich/Nelte while English & German pairs will facing each other in men's doubles and mixed doubles as well. FINAL Order of Play (01.00pm) : https://www.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/matches.aspx?id=65F72699-96CD-458F-B8E1-F1648CF4EEA6
Great stuff from Herttrich/Nelte to down Shida/Matsuyama. They also beat Aratama/Watanabe in straight games earlier in the tournament. Turns out they faced Sakuramoto/Takahata in the German Open earlier this year and took a game off them. Hoping for a great match tomorrow!
He's good, better than Lu Guangzu at the net area and coupled with a strong forehand attack, that jump smash. It's only in G3 that LGZ figured out how to counter his game and take more of the initiative towards the end.
Yet one more hurdle cleared by Li Xuerui , somewhat beyond my expectations. After a comprehensive win in G1, she was so erratic as to virtually throw away G2 with one unforced error after another, hitting so many shots into the net and out, probably easing off to conserve energy but ended up miserably. Somehow she was able to reassert herself in G3, stamping her authority to book another final appearance in two consecutive weeks. For the showdown tomorrow, will it be one match too many for her playing her 13th match in a row as opposed to her opponent's 5th ? Whatever, considering everything, the odds are undeniably against her as in terms of experience and skills, Sayaka Takahashi aren't far behind her unlike her junior compatriots, Moto Hayashi and Asuka Takahashi, but in terms of stamina and match fitness in view of LXR's well-known situation, the advantage is clearly with Sayaka Takahashi by a considerable margin at the moment. Nevertheless, we're in for a treat and I'm looking forward to it.
Cai Yanyan's inexperience showed , no doubt Sayaka Takahashi is the better player but she's not without any chances. I feel that CYY got to learn how to play lefties, how to adjust her tactics accordingly as there are very few left-handed players as compared with righties. Hopefully, a good experience that'd stand her in good stead in future. 18-year-old Cai YY is, to me, another young CHN WS player to watch, besides Gao FJ.
Not that unusual since they're the best from their countries (England and Germany)... playing in a tournament against other countries' B team players. Sent from my SM-G965W using Tapatalk
TV broadcast quality is quite lacking, especially in sound sector. I can barely hear the shuttle and the overall mood is too silent.
Oh no, this loss was really not necessary :- Three match points for the Germans, but 5 consecutive points bring the title to England...
Found it. Tks. I'm in Canada so obviously they make it hard to find it... Sent from my SM-G965W using Tapatalk
It was about the line call. Lengthwise in, but the line judge for the middle line took his time (lamsfuss left it, but service was called in, and I think it was the right call). The Germans thought they had it at 20:17 I fear, but still a good run lately!! Hope they stay injury free and they can go quite far in md and mx I believe
Lu is a great prospect, if only he could reduce his lack of focus sometimes. Interesting to see who wins this match.
