Tokyo: The Japan Open men’s singles draw was turned upside down on Friday as the tournament’s top three seeds — Shi Yu Qi, Kunlavut Vitidsarn and Anders Antonsen — were all eliminated in the quarterfinals.
China’s top seed Shi Yu Qi was beaten by France’s fifth seed Christo Popov, while Thailand’s second seed Kunlavut Vitidsarn fell to Japan’s Yushi Tanaka. Denmark’s third seed Anders Antonsen was also sent home by another Japanese player, Koki Watanabe.
The results mean Japan is guaranteed at least one representative in the men’s singles final, with Watanabe and Tanaka scheduled to face each other in an all-Japanese semifinal.
Christo Popov Comes From Behind to Eliminate Shi Yu Qi
Shi Yu Qi entered his quarterfinal against Christo Popov with a 5-2 advantage in their previous meetings, but the world No. 1 was unable to extend that record in Tokyo.
Shi began strongly and took the opening game 21-14. Popov, however, responded with a much faster and more aggressive approach in the second game, winning it 21-10 to force a decider.
The French fifth seed maintained his momentum in the third game and completed the upset 14-21, 21-10, 21-11.
Popov’s victory earned him a place in the Japan Open semifinals, where he will face home favorite Kodai Naraoka.
- Category: Men’s singles
- Result: Christo Popov (5) of France defeated Shi Yu Qi (1) of China 14-21, 21-10, 21-11
- Next opponent: Kodai Naraoka of Japan
Kodai Naraoka Survives Alwi Farhan Challenge
Kodai Naraoka needed three demanding games to overcome Indonesia’s rising star Alwi Farhan.
The Japanese player took the opening game 21-18, but Alwi responded by edging the second 22-20. Naraoka stayed patient in the deciding game and eventually closed out the match 21-18.
The 21-18, 20-22, 21-18 victory gave Naraoka his second win over Alwi in their three meetings this year.
- Category: Men’s singles
- Result: Kodai Naraoka of Japan defeated Alwi Farhan of Indonesia 21-18, 20-22, 21-18
- Next opponent: Christo Popov (5) of France
Yushi Tanaka Stuns Second Seed Kunlavut Vitidsarn
Yushi Tanaka produced another major result for Japan by defeating Thailand’s second seed Kunlavut Vitidsarn in three games.
Kunlavut had won their first two career meetings and looked ready to continue that dominance when he took the opening game 22-20.
Tanaka refused to fade, responding with a 21-16 victory in the second game before holding his nerve in a tight decider. The Japanese player completed the upset 20-22, 21-16, 21-18, ending his two-match losing record against Kunlavut.
- Category: Men’s singles
- Result: Yushi Tanaka of Japan defeated Kunlavut Vitidsarn (2) of Thailand 20-22, 21-16, 21-18
- Next opponent: Koki Watanabe of Japan
Koki Watanabe Knocks Out Anders Antonsen
Koki Watanabe completed a memorable quarterfinal day for Japan by eliminating Denmark’s third seed Anders Antonsen in straight games.
Watanabe controlled the rallies well and prevented Antonsen from settling into his preferred rhythm, winning 21-13, 21-17.
The victory sets up an all-Japanese semifinal against Yushi Tanaka, guaranteeing the host nation a place in Sunday’s men’s singles final.
- Category: Men’s singles
- Result: Koki Watanabe of Japan defeated Anders Antonsen (3) of Denmark 21-13, 21-17
- Next opponent: Yushi Tanaka of Japan
Japan Open Men’s Singles Semifinals
- Christo Popov (5), France vs. Kodai Naraoka, Japan
- Koki Watanabe, Japan vs. Yushi Tanaka, Japan
Chen Yu Fei Cruises Into Women’s Singles Semifinals
In women’s singles, China’s fourth seed Chen Yu Fei produced a commanding performance to defeat South Korea’s Sim Yu Jin.
Chen controlled the match from the start and needed only two games to complete a 21-10, 21-12 victory. The result extended her winning record against Sim to seven consecutive victories.
The Chinese star will next face India’s Pusarla V. Sindhu for a place in the final.
- Category: Women’s singles
- Result: Chen Yu Fei (4) of China defeated Sim Yu Jin of South Korea 21-10, 21-12
- Next opponent: Pusarla V. Sindhu of India
P.V. Sindhu Advances After Nozomi Okuhara Withdraws
Pusarla V. Sindhu reached the semifinals without taking the court after Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara withdrew from their scheduled quarterfinal.
The withdrawal handed the former world champion from India a walkover into the final four, where she will meet Chen Yu Fei.
- Category: Women’s singles
- Result: Pusarla V. Sindhu of India advanced by walkover after Nozomi Okuhara of Japan withdrew
- Next opponent: Chen Yu Fei (4) of China
Putri Kusuma Wardani Ends Losing Streak Against Wang Zhi Yi
Indonesia’s sixth seed Putri Kusuma Wardani produced a remarkable comeback to eliminate China’s second seed Wang Zhi Yi.
Wang dominated the opening game 21-9, but Putri responded by taking the second 21-17. The Indonesian then controlled the deciding game completely, conceding only four points to complete a 9-21, 21-17, 21-4 victory in 56 minutes.
The result was Putri’s first win over Wang in eight career meetings, ending a seven-match losing streak against the Chinese player.
- Category: Women’s singles
- Result: Putri Kusuma Wardani (6) of Indonesia defeated Wang Zhi Yi (2) of China 9-21, 21-17, 21-4
- Next opponent: Akane Yamaguchi (3) of Japan
Akane Yamaguchi Edges Kim Ga Eun in Three Games
Japan’s third seed Akane Yamaguchi also had to come from behind to secure her semifinal place.
South Korea’s Kim Ga Eun won the opening game 21-14, but Yamaguchi responded strongly to take the second 21-13.
The deciding game developed into a tense battle, with Yamaguchi eventually saving herself during the closing exchanges and securing a 14-21, 21-13, 22-20 victory.
She will next face Putri Kusuma Wardani in the semifinals.
- Category: Women’s singles
- Result: Akane Yamaguchi (3) of Japan defeated Kim Ga Eun of South Korea 14-21, 21-13, 22-20
- Next opponent: Putri Kusuma Wardani (6) of Indonesia
Japan Open Women’s Singles Semifinals
- Chen Yu Fei (4), China vs. Pusarla V. Sindhu, India
- Putri Kusuma Wardani (6), Indonesia vs. Akane Yamaguchi (3), Japan
Top Seeds Fall as Japan Open Produces Major Badminton Upsets
The elimination of Shi Yu Qi, Kunlavut Vitidsarn and Anders Antonsen transformed the men’s singles title race in a single afternoon.
Popov will attempt to deny Japan a clean sweep of the men’s singles final places when he faces Naraoka. In the lower half, Watanabe and Tanaka will battle for the guaranteed Japanese place in the championship match.
The women’s singles draw also produced a major surprise, with Putri finally defeating Wang after seven previous losses.
With established stars falling and home players continuing to advance, the Japan Open semifinals are shaping up to deliver another dramatic day of badminton in Tokyo.
