Tokyo: France’s Christo Popov prevented Japan from sweeping both places in the men’s singles final after defeating home player Kodai Naraoka in the Japan Open semifinals.
With three Japanese players among the final four, the host nation appeared well placed to secure an all-Japanese championship match. Popov, however, ended that possibility with a composed straight-game victory over Naraoka.
The French fifth seed won 21-14, 21-11 and will now challenge Koki Watanabe for the men’s singles title at the BWF World Tour Super 750 tournament.
Christo Popov Denies Japan an All-Home Men’s Singles Final
Popov entered the semifinal after producing one of the tournament’s biggest upsets by eliminating China’s top seed Shi Yu Qi in the quarterfinals.
He carried that confidence into his match against Naraoka, controlling the rallies and preventing the Japanese player from settling into his usual patient rhythm.
Naraoka was unable to recover after losing the opening game, and Popov increased the pressure in the second to seal a convincing 21-14, 21-11 victory.
- Category: Men’s singles
- Result: Christo Popov (5) of France defeated Kodai Naraoka of Japan 21-14, 21-11
- Next opponent: Koki Watanabe of Japan
- Next stage: Japan Open final
Koki Watanabe Survives Marathon Against Yushi Tanaka
Koki Watanabe claimed Japan’s place in the men’s singles final after surviving a dramatic three-game battle against compatriot Yushi Tanaka.
World No. 22 Tanaka took the opening game 21-19 and came close to closing out the match in the second. Watanabe, ranked world No. 17, held his nerve during a tense finish to edge the game 23-21.
The deciding game remained close until the final rallies, but Watanabe again found the answers when the pressure was highest. He completed the comeback 19-21, 23-21, 21-19 after one hour and 19 minutes.
- Category: Men’s singles
- Result: Koki Watanabe of Japan defeated Yushi Tanaka of Japan 19-21, 23-21, 21-19
- Match duration: 79 minutes
- Next opponent: Christo Popov (5) of France
Japan Open Men’s Singles Final
- Christo Popov (5), France vs. Koki Watanabe, Japan
Popov will attempt to complete an outstanding tournament by defeating another Japanese opponent, while Watanabe will have the support of the home crowd as he chases the title.
Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Fall to World No. 1 Korean Pair
Malaysia’s men’s doubles challenge ended in the semifinals when Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani were defeated by South Korea’s top seeds and defending champions Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae.
The Malaysians struggled in the opening game and lost 12-21, but they responded impressively to dominate the second 21-11.
Kim and Seo regained control in the deciding game to complete the three-game victory. The source report did not provide the deciding-game score.
The defeat was Sze Fei and Izzuddin’s third loss in five meetings with the Korean world No. 1 pair.
- Category: Men’s doubles
- Result: Kim Won Ho/Seo Seung Jae (1) of South Korea defeated Goh Sze Fei/Nur Izzuddin Rumsani of Malaysia in three games
- Available scores: 21-12, 11-21, deciding-game score not stated in the supplied report
- Head-to-head: Kim-Seo lead 3-2
Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Shohibul Fikri Reach Men’s Doubles Final
Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae will face Indonesia’s second seeds Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri in the men’s doubles final.
Fajar and Fikri were pushed to three games by Japan’s eighth seeds Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi before winning 21-14, 19-21, 21-18.
The Indonesian pair controlled the opening game but had to regroup after Hoki and Kobayashi forced a decider. Fajar and Fikri stayed composed during the closing stages to secure their place in the final.
- Category: Men’s doubles
- Result: Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri (2) of Indonesia defeated Takuro Hoki/Yugo Kobayashi (8) of Japan 21-14, 19-21, 21-18
Japan Open Men’s Doubles Final
- Kim Won Ho/Seo Seung Jae (1), South Korea vs. Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri (2), Indonesia
Akane Yamaguchi Targets Fifth Japan Open Crown
Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi remains in contention for a fifth home title after recovering from a difficult opening game to defeat Indonesia’s sixth seed Putri Kusuma Wardani.
Putri began confidently and took the first game 21-9, raising hopes of another upset after her quarterfinal victory over China’s second seed Wang Zhi Yi.
Yamaguchi responded with greater pace and control in the second game, winning 21-16 before completing the comeback 21-14 in the decider.
The Japanese star is now one victory away from adding another title to her Japan Open triumphs in 2013, 2019, 2022 and 2024.
- Category: Women’s singles
- Result: Akane Yamaguchi of Japan defeated Putri Kusuma Wardani (6) of Indonesia 9-21, 21-16, 21-14
- Next opponent: Pusarla V. Sindhu of India
P.V. Sindhu Advances After Chen Yu Fei Retires
India’s Pusarla V. Sindhu reached the women’s singles final after China’s Chen Yu Fei retired during their semifinal.
Sindhu won a closely contested opening game 21-19 and was leading 15-10 in the second when Chen was unable to continue.
The Indian star has reached the final after playing only one complete match over the previous two rounds. She also received a quarterfinal walkover when Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara withdrew before their scheduled encounter.
- Category: Women’s singles
- Result: Pusarla V. Sindhu of India defeated Chen Yu Fei of China 21-19, 15-10 retired
- Next opponent: Akane Yamaguchi of Japan
Japan Open Women’s Singles Final
- Akane Yamaguchi, Japan vs. Pusarla V. Sindhu, India
Yamaguchi will try to win her fifth Japan Open title in front of the home crowd, while Sindhu will seek to take advantage of a relatively light path through the quarterfinal and semifinal stages.
Jia Yi Fan-Zhang Shu Xian Survive Women’s Doubles Thriller
China’s second seeds Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shu Xian reached the women’s doubles final after a marathon victory over Japan’s fourth seeds Yuki Fukushima and Mayu Matsumoto.
The Chinese pair won 21-15, 12-21, 23-21 after one hour and 26 minutes, ending Japan’s hopes of placing a women’s doubles pair in the final.
Fukushima and Matsumoto recovered strongly after losing the opening game, but Jia and Zhang held their nerve during a tense deciding-game finish.
- Category: Women’s doubles
- Result: Jia Yi Fan/Zhang Shu Xian (2) of China defeated Yuki Fukushima/Mayu Matsumoto (4) of Japan 21-15, 12-21, 23-21
- Match duration: 86 minutes
Kim Hye Jeong-Kong Hee Yong Advance in Straight Games
South Korea’s sixth seeds Kim Hye Jeong and Kong Hee Yong booked the other women’s doubles final place with a straight-game victory.
The Korean pair defeated Chinese Taipei’s Hsu Yin-Hui and Lin Jhih Yun 21-18, 21-17.
- Category: Women’s doubles
- Result: Kim Hye Jeong/Kong Hee Yong (6) of South Korea defeated Hsu Yin-Hui/Lin Jhih Yun of Chinese Taipei 21-18, 21-17
Japan Open Women’s Doubles Final
- Jia Yi Fan/Zhang Shu Xian (2), China vs. Kim Hye Jeong/Kong Hee Yong (6), South Korea
Jimmy Wong-Cheng Su Yin’s Breakthrough Run Ends in Semifinals
Malaysia’s Jimmy Wong and Cheng Su Yin saw their impressive mixed doubles campaign end after a three-game defeat to Hong Kong’s experienced Tang Chun Man and Tse Ying Suet.
The Malaysians made a strong start and won the opening game 21-17. They also appeared well positioned in the second when they opened a 17-14 lead.
Tang and Tse refused to surrender, drawing level at 17-17 before winning four consecutive points from 18-17 to take the game 21-18.
The Hong Kong pair carried that momentum into the decider, establishing a 9-4 advantage. Jimmy and Su Yin reduced the deficit to one point at one stage but were unable to regain the lead.
Tang and Tse eventually closed out the match 17-21, 21-18, 21-15.
- Category: Mixed doubles
- Result: Tang Chun Man/Tse Ying Suet of Hong Kong defeated Jimmy Wong/Cheng Su Yin of Malaysia 17-21, 21-18, 21-15
- Outcome: Jimmy-Su Yin completed their first Super 750 semifinal run
Feng Yan Zhe-Huang Dong Ping Cruise Into Mixed Doubles Final
China’s top seeds Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping reached the mixed doubles final with a comfortable straight-game victory over Japan’s Akira Koga and Natsu Saito.
The Chinese pair controlled the match throughout and won 21-13, 21-8.
- Category: Mixed doubles
- Result: Feng Yan Zhe/Huang Dong Ping (1) of China defeated Akira Koga/Natsu Saito of Japan 21-13, 21-8
Japan Open Mixed Doubles Final
- Feng Yan Zhe/Huang Dong Ping (1), China vs. Tang Chun Man/Tse Ying Suet, Hong Kong
Japan Open Finals Set After Dramatic Semifinal Day
Christo Popov’s victory over Kodai Naraoka ensured the men’s singles final would not become an all-Japanese contest, even though the host nation placed three players in the semifinals.
Koki Watanabe now carries Japan’s men’s singles title hopes, while Akane Yamaguchi will attempt to win her fifth Japan Open crown against P.V. Sindhu.
For Malaysia, the exits of Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin and Jimmy Wong-Cheng Su Yin ended the country’s challenge in Tokyo.
Both Malaysian pairs can still leave the tournament with encouraging performances. Sze Fei and Izzuddin reached another major semifinal, while Jimmy and Su Yin defeated two highly ranked European combinations during their breakthrough Super 750 run.
Attention now turns to the finals, where Japan, France, India, China, South Korea, Indonesia and Hong Kong will compete for the five Japan Open badminton titles.
