Japan Open Badminton LIVE: It was not a great day for Indian shuttlers in the Japan Open on Wednesday. Kidambi Srikanth brought the biggest cheer for India. He defeated Lee Zii Jia in straight games, 22-20 and 23-21 to reach the prequarterfinals. However, it was a setback for Lakshya Sen, who lost to Kenta Nishimoto of Japan in tough 3 setter by 21-18, 14-21, 13-21. Saina Nehwal also went down in straight games to Akane Yamaguchi, 21-9 and 21-17 to suffer early exit. Follow Japan Open 2022 LIVE updates
With these results, Srikanth will be under pressure to shine in the Japan Open. The Indian will now meet Japanese Kanta Tsuneyama in the pre quarterfinals.
Srikanth showed great character on Wednesday against Lee Zii, who tested the Indian shuttler in all departments of the game. Both the players came up with some good badminton. There was nothing to choose between the two in both the games.
Indians in first round on Wednesday
Men’s Singles
Lakshya Sen LOST to Kenta Nishimoto – 21-18, 14-21, 13-21
Kidambi Srikanth BEAT Lee Zii Jia – 22-20 and 23-21
Women’s Singles
Saina Nehwal LOST to Akane Yamugachi – 21-9 and 21-17
Men’s Doubles
Arjun / Kapila LOST to Choi / Kim – 21-19, 21-23, 15-21
Garaga / Panjala LOST to Popov / Popov – 18-21, 17-21
Women’s Doubles
Jolly / Gopichand LOST to Kititharakul / Prajongjai – 17-21, 18-21
Mixed Doubles
Prasad / Dewangan LOST to Zheng / Huang – 11-21, 10-21
If the first set went down to the wire with Srikanth winning, the second was no different. Srikanth did not want to take the game to the decider and went all out in the second to win it 23-21 in a cliffhanger of a contest.
However, in the singles arena, other Indians including Saina Nehwal and Lakhsya Sen failed to progress into the next round. In fact Lakshya’s loss to Nishimoto came as a surprise. The Indian has been one of the best players in the world badminton, but faltered in his match in Japan.
Saina Nehwal crashes OUT in 1st round of Japan Open.
Saina lost to reigning World Champion Akane Yamaguchi 9-21, 17-21.
👉 Its 4th consecutive defeat for Saina against the Japanese shuttler. #JapanOpenSuper750 pic.twitter.com/ym7iPA7Kxn— India_AllSports (@India_AllSports) August 31, 2022
Lakshya and Nishimoto were involved in a tough clash, with the Indian winning the first game. One expected to win the other and move into the next round. But it was the brilliance of Nishimoto, who took over the match. He out played Lakshya and the exit doors were soon for him. Lakshya lost the next two games.
When it came to Saina’s game against World number one, Akane Yamaguchi, it was a one-sided affair. The Japanese player was the favourite and it did not take her much time to bring her A game. She won the contest in straight games to reach the next round of the competition.
Even the men’s doubles pair of MR Arjun and Dhruv Kapila lost their men’s doubles match to Choi Gol Gyu and Kim Won Ho. After winning the first game, the Indian pair lost the last two to be knocked out of Japan Open. The final score read 21-19, 21-23 and 15-21.
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