KOREA Open 2019 : Qualifying Round-FINAL (24-29 September)

FINAL (11.00am) => https://www2.tournamentsoftware.com...1F80C2-7502-40D7-BC26-C736DF2759B2&d=20190929



KOREA ON TOP
It's been long time for Korea women's doubles nail victory at homeground top flight tournament, last time was Jung KE/Shin SC, right after won Rio bronze medal in 2016 KOR Open Superseries. Two local leading pairs, Lee SH/SC, Kim SY/Kim HY eliminate Japan second-layered squad, Matsuyama/Shida and Sakuramoto/Takahata respectively, hard to believe that none of Japanese pair entering final round since they bring full force here, Korean formulas succeed to topple Japanese supremacy here. An equal chance for both pairs, however the more lethal Kim/Kong combination are more favoured to add title collection in 2019.

TIGHT TUSSLE ON COURSE
Beating the high profile seniors Gideon/Sukamuljo is no fluke as Alfian/Ardianto continue excellent run to beat another elite pair, former World Champions Li JH/Liu YC, 27-25 / 22-20. The Indonesians need to fix their focus in crucial time to let their opponent seize momentum, 20-16 in opening game then dejavu 20-17 in second set, luckily they could convert and regain their rhythm against the below-par Chinese twin towers. They will up against Japan dynamic duo Kamura/Sonoda who performing superbly to outclass local hopefuls Seo SJ/Chae YJ with two quick games, 21-13 / 21-14. A projected close battle tomorrow as head to head stats displayed, last meeting won by Alfian/Ardianto last week in Changzhou and possibly the Japanese will be alert this time.

MOMOTA AGAIN
An ideal final according to seeding position between Kento Momota and Chou Tien Chen, interesting final should be expected but still the Japanese poster boy has the upperhand to claim back to back title, won 9 of 11 encounters. Momota overcame all his rivals with two straight-games en route to finale including beat Indian veteran Kashyap Parupalli straight-forwardly in last four, 21-13 / 21-15 only Lee Zii Jia who pushed him into tough times at quarters while Chou TC experienced long duration match to down younger compatriot Wang Tzu Wei, 12-21 / 21-13 / 21-11. The most consistent MS player in this season, growing confidence after defending world champion title in August, maybe this is Momota's era, no real threat that could rocking him at the moment, the off-form Viktor Axelsen, the injured Shi Yuqi, the unstable Indonesian duo Ginting-Christie, the declining Olympic Champion Chen Long, that's affirmation to underscore his powerful status.

END OF TITLE DROUGHT?
A rematch of India Open last March when He Bing Jiao lost to Ratchanok Intanon in New Delhi. Struggling with agility and confidence, the Chinese lefthander actually has excellent racket skill who can producing creative, unpredictable shots that troubling her opponent. He BJ outmaneuvers Michelle Li with quality shots, good defense, delicate netplay and crisp cross court smash. A stern test awaits her as Intanon owns outstanding technical skill with so many deceptions, former world number one defeat her doppelganger Tai Tzu Ying who's far from her normal form, being error-proned almost entire match. A chance for He BJ to taste victory again, last time she topped podium was Bitburger Open GP Gold, November 2016.

ROUTINE JOB
Nothing but Zheng/Huang in mixed double podium, this China dominant figures eye sixth title in BWF World Tour. More and more difficult for any pair to find weakness and beat them whose keep improving, flawless in all departments, attacking, speed, defense, netshot, awareness. World Champions crush home pair Seo SJ/Chae YJ despite the Koreans presenting good fighting in the beginning of second game, 21-11 / 21-16. A big challenge for Thailand duo to repeat their SGP Open successful episode, Puavaranukroh/Taerattanachai were forced into the limit by young Indonesians Rivaldy/Mentari in three games, 20-22 / 21-11 / 21-18.