FINAL (
01.00pm) =>
https://www.tournamentsoftware.com/...F7CA6C-2774-46F8-8AB2-8D43429AE297&d=20180923
Host China has four representatives in three disciplines with one title has been secured, followed by arch-rival the rising Japan with three slots and clinch WD title. Indonesia, Spain, Denmark fill the remaining places.
MS, Anthony Sinisuka Ginting (INA) v Kento Momota (JPN)
H-2-H : 2-4 / WR : 13 v 2
Anthony Ginting maintains outstanding performance here to cruise into final for the first time in BWF top-tier tournaments, Super 1000 level. Looking his heavyweight draw, the unseeded Indonesian defies the odds that propel him to one step closer for top podium finisher. Beating series of top echelon players, two-time Olympic Champion Lin Dan, world number one Viktor Axelsen, reigning Olympic Champion Chen Long and Asian Games silver medalist Chou Tien Chen. Ginting relies on his speed, agility, mental strength and excellent net play to down all those big names. Waiting him as last hurdle is none but current king, world champion Kento Momota who demolished all his opponents on the road to last round including semifinal rival, home hopeful Shi Yuqi despite the young Chinese delivers stiff resistance and right tactic to trouble Momota at second game but it was not enough to stop near perfect Momota. Will Ginting repeat his winning touch at Asian Games third round and conquer the powerful Momota? An exciting final duel to wait.
XD, Zheng Siwei/Huang Yaqiong (CHN) v Zhang Nan/Li Yinhui (CHN)
H-2-H : 2-0 / WR : 1 v 11
Mixed doubles discipline is really China trump card to pick title in almost all tournaments. A big challenge for Zhang N/Li YH to break Zheng SW/Huang YQ winning streak, they’re unbeatable since Nanjing World Championships. In semifinal, the world number one didn’t play their best at the beginning but getting better after second game interval to tackle HKG pair Tang CM/Tse YS, 21-19 / 21-15. On second session Zhang/Li stun more favoured teammates, world number two Wang YL/Huang DP who looked shaky at mid deciding game that let Zhang/Li to turn the tables and nail final ticket. We'll see whether Zheng/Huangcombination could replicate famous duo Zhang Nan/Zhao Yunlei stellar achievement in their journey to reach ultimate goal, Tokyo 2020.
WS, Carolina Marin (ESP) v Chen Yufei (CHN)
H-2-H : 1-0 / WR : 5 v 6
Three-time World Champion and Olympic Champion Carolina Marin regain her finest form to score back to back final in Japan and China. In rematch of JPN Open final, Nozomi Okuhara did well to take iniative at front area and dictating the pace in opening game as Marin committed many errors. But the Spaniard came back stronger at next two games with her superiority mode, raising the tempo, more aggressive and some excellent netshot, even in several long rallies Marin is better than her opponent. Earlier semifinal, Chen Yufei continues her winning trend against Akane Yamaguchi in three games, the Chinese has better court coverage to outmaneuver Yamaguchi who looks little bit drop of overall performance lately. On paper prediction, a slim chance for home youngster to oppose Marin as both of them met last week in Tokyo where the Spanish sensation outplayed Chen, hopefully it’ll not be an anti-climax final.
WD, Mayu Matsumoto/Wakana Nagahara (JPN) v Misaki Matsutomo/Ayaka Takahashi (JPN)
H-2-H : 3-1 / WR : 6 v 4
Japan WD is back to routinity and keeps WD crown on their grip, two high profile pairs facing off, reigning World Champion Matsumoto/Nagara versus Olympic Champion Matsutomo/Takahashi. MatsuNaga trounced Bulgarian Stoeva sisters, 21-16 / 21-12 while more interesting fashion happened on evening session, TakaMatsu experienced tough times to dismiss Indonesian Polii/Rahayu. The Indonesians did well to level the scoreline even leading by narrow margin, 16-15 at the deciding game but still the Japanese regained focus and seal the match in 87 minutes of play. MatsuNaga have advantage according to head to head stats to clinch Super 1000 title after managed runner-up position in INA Open last July.
MD, Han Cheng Kai/Zhou Haodong (CHN) v Kim Astrup/Anders Skaarup Rasmussen (DEN)
H-2-H : 0-1 / 23 v 10
A major upset occurs on men’s doubles department, the overwhelming favourite Gideon/Sukamuljo fail to clear their opponent, Chinese second-stringers Han CK/Zhou HD in three games. The Mininons had bad start in first game but soon they found good rhythm in second game then being service faulted several times at third game disrupted Indonesians concentration, a close contest but the Chinese played better to execute the ending. 8th seed Astrup/Rasmussen perform well along this tournament, the most notable pair to be their victim are second seed Li/Liu in quarterfinal. The Danish combination did same feat to down TPE pair Chen HL/Wang CL, the latter couldn't read well their opponent game plan in first set then tight battle on next game but Chen/Wang were too rush at crucial moment. Out of prediction for MD final line-up that both finalists should capitalise this rare chance to earn huge ranking point and lucrative prize money.
Gideon at the back was not much of a threat during first set. Came back at set 2 but H/Z also regained focus at set 3. Kevin made lots of errors, including serves. The Chinese pair made loads of errors too but were much more composed. I think it was the third set that Kevin was clearly very frustrated. 
