Japan's top badminton players are back. They heat up the competition to win the Indonesia Open 2022, after their absence from the Indonesia Masters 2022 last week.
Two of the world's top athletes, Kento Momota in the men's singles and Akane Yamaguchi, took part. Unfortunately, Momota's steps did not go smoothly. The former world number one was immediately eliminated in the first round. Surprisingly, Momota, who was the second seed, lost to Rasmus Gemke of Denmark in three games 19-21, 21-19, 14-21.
Akane Yamaguchi, on the other hand, is still on fire. The first seed was able to overcome obstacles in the first round. Akane Yamahuchi beat Denmark's Mia Blichfeldt 21-15, 21-18. The victory sent Akane Yamaguchi to face her own partner Sayaka Takahash. Yamaguchi won the first set 21-11 but unfortunately the second set had to finish early 5-1 due to Takahashi's injury.
Besides Akane Yamaguchi, Japan’s team has Nozomu Okuhara in the women's singles category. Seeded in the sixth position, Okuhara’s chances to win are huge knowing her record of defeating opponents who are ranked higher. Her status as a former world number one can already be a guarantee.
In the women's doubles, Japan also has dangerous pairs. However, like Kento Momota, former world champion Mayu Matsumoto/Wagana Nagahara, was eliminated in the first round. They were defeated by Indonesia's new doubles team Apriyani Rahayu/Siti Fadia 7-21, 21-17, 17-21. However, Japan still has an equally powerful women's doubles pair, Yuki Fukushima/Sayaka Hirota, who is seeded in fourth position. They will also be accompanied by their partner who is seeded in sixth place, Nami Matsuyama/Chiharu Shida. Both can make a big surprise with the abilities they have.
Meanwhile, in the mixed doubles, Yuta Watanabe/Arisa Higashino have secured their spot in the quarterfinals. With the status of being All England champions, this fierce duo is a strong barrier for potential champions to climb up to the honorable podium. Watanabe/Higashino’s chance to become a champion is wide open, especially with the first seeds from Thailand, Dechapol Puavaranukroh/Sapsiree Taerranachai, already out of the championships.
