Hong Kong China Shine on Sand

Did you catch the BWF AirBadminton Asia Pacific Continental Championships 2025 at Port Dickson, Malaysia over the weekend? If you haven’t, we suggest you do!

It was perhaps the best glimpse yet that AirBadminton is here to stay. The incredibly high standard of performance a clear indication of the growing interest in the game.

We had players of all ages and backgrounds representing their teams. For China, Korea and Japan, it was a mix of university players – many just returning from the World University Games last month.

Malaysia had a youth policy, taking the best juniors from the Kuala Lumpur state team. Others used pathway players on the cusp of the elite level.

For Hong Kong China, the most dominant team on show, it was a squad of former seasoned tour players, now furnished into professional AirBadminton athletes.

Their tally of two gold and one silver just reward for the time, effort, commitment and passion they have poured into AirBadminton over the last few years.

Leading the way was former Top 10 men’s singles star Wong Wing Ki Vincent, whose leadership, tactical acumen, and sublime skills steered his Hong Kong China to victory in the Team Relay.

“It’s a milestone victory for us. We’ve created history for Hong Kong,” said Wong.

“After the group stage, we knew we had the confidence and experience to win this. The goal was to get the trophy and the gold medal. It was very exciting.

“We were a little nervous in the quarterfinal but after that we played with great stability and control.”

Victorious Hong Kong China team.
Sand skills perfected.

Hong Kong China and their vanquished opponents in the final, Indonesia, along with the third placed China all qualified for the BWF AirBadminton World Cup 2025 to be staged in Sharjah, UAE from 11-14 December.

For the victors, it was an improvement on their bronze medal from two years ago. In fact, they were the only team to return with the same faces from the inaugural Asian championships two years ago.

That experience and familiarity with AirBadminton clearly showing.

“Six of us are ex-players, and we are the same team from two years before. None of us have been to UAE before so that is exciting,” he added.

Vincent urged more of his fellow ex-tour players to consider making the switch to AirBadminton.

“This week I was the only former Top 10 player here. In the future I hope I can bring more other retired players to come and play AirBadminton,” Wong said.

“The main reason I retired was my right ankle injury. I could never fix it. But as AirBadminton is played on sand there is less pressure on my foot and I feel really good.

“My athlete life is coming back now. I’ve always loved playing competitions but that was taken away with my injury.

“So, making the World Cup and competing again is very exciting.”

Indonesia proved they will forever be strong exponents of AirBadminton with their penchant for highly skilled, fast, midcourt doubles transitioning well to the sand.

They added Men’s Triples gold to their bag of silvers from the Team Relay and Women’s Triples.

→Results

Indonesian men’s triples team en route to gold.

BWF World Tour News

Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul Confirmed BWF President 2025-2029

Thailand’s Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul has been confirmed new BWF President at the 86th BWF Annual General Meeting in Xiamen, China held  Saturday 26 April 2025.

Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul is the second woman president of the Badminton World Federation. She won unopposed.

“For me, badminton has always been more than a sport and tonight marks a deeply meaningful milestone,” said Khunying Patama.

“While badminton is in a strong position today, we must continue to work towards making badminton a truly global sport.

“The next Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles are just three years away and LA28 presents a powerful opportunity to elevate our sport on the world stage. We must be ready to grab this moment.”

Khunying Patama succeeds Denmark’s Poul-Erik Høyer, whose 12-year tenure as BWF President ends today.

Høyer was awarded Honorary Life Vice President by the BWF membership at the AGM.

Khunying Patama added: “Badminton has come a long way over the past decade, and I am truly grateful for the strong foundations that have been laid by my good friend Poul-Erik Høyer.

“Thank you so much for everything you have done for badminton, as a champion on court, a visionary administrator, and, above all, as a wonderful person.

“It is both a privilege and a great responsibility to accept the baton of leadership from you. You have set a high standard for us all to follow.”

Poul-Erik and Khunying Patama share a moment on stage.

Høyer reflected on his 12-year term, the growth of the sport, and his wishes for the future.

“It’s a great honour to pass on the baton of BWF President to my dear friend and colleague Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul,” said Høyer.

“I am sure badminton and the BWF will continue to grow and blossom under your leadership and guidance.

“Badminton has been such a big part of my life for so many years now, both on and off the court.

“And I am so proud of the transformations we have collectively made together over the last 12 years to take the sport to where it is today.

“Continuity, innovation and capacity building are core elements I would like to see the Federation champion over the next four years heading into Los Angeles 2028 and beyond.”

Long-serving BWF Council member and Paris 2024 CEO Etienne Thobois of France was confirmed as Deputy President. He was the sole candidate for the position.

Thobois said: “I’m very excited personally to work with Khunying Patama and the team to further the sport’s global footprint.

“We now have a great challenge ahead of us to keep badminton relevant and exciting for the masses around the world. And the good news is that we are already in a strong position and we are working from a solid strategic blueprint that can help us narrow the gap between badminton and other leading global sports.

“I also want to share my deep admiration for Poul-Erik. He is a true hero. We go back a long time from our playing days, including Atlanta 1996, and we even share the same birthdate. He was an inspiration then, and is still an inspiration now. To see him go out on his own terms today and show amazing strength in leadership is reflective of who he is as a person. He is a living testimony of what the word resilience means and is wonderful example for the badminton community.”

France’s Richard Perot was successful in the election for BWF Vice President Para Badminton over incumbent Paul Kurzo. Perot said he was eager to elevate the sport to new heights.

“My vision is to set a more global and geographically balanced sport where all countries are having the necessary resources to push their boundaries.

“A sport that breaks the barriers and gives every child, disable or not, whatever their social origin, colour of skin, gender or religion, a chance to play for life and achieve their dream to become a champion.”

20 new BWF Council members were also elected in accordance with Continental and gender quotas outlined in the BWF Constitution.

1. Andoni Azurmendi Ibarrola (ESP) 11. Mohamad Norza Zakaria (MAS)
2. Bambang (Rudy) Roedyanto (INA) 12. Nora Perry (ENG)
3. Charlotte Dew-Hattens (DEN) 13. Odette Assembe Engoulou (CMR)
4. Francis Orbih (NGR) 14. Pilar Carrillo la Fuente (PER)
5. Jan Helmond (NED) 15. Rukhshona Narzulloeva (TJK)
6. Jo ‘Anne Cassar (MLT) 16. Sawsan Taqawi (BRN)
7. Jose Gabriel del Busto Fernandez (GUA) 17. Sven Serre (BEL)
8. Julie McDonald (AUS) 18. Taleh Ziyadov (AZE)
9. Kim Jong Soo (KOR) 19. Wajid Ali Chaudhry (PAK)
10. Mitsuru Murai (JPN) 20. Zhang Jun (CHN)

*alphabetical order by surname

The 23 new BWF Council members elected today join the five Continental Vice Presidents and Chair of the Athletes’ Commission currently serving their terms.

  • Michel Bau (Vice President – Africa)
  • Jassem Kanso (Vice President – Asia)
  • Robbert de Kock (Vice President – Europe)
  • Loke Poh Wong (Vice President – Oceania)
  • Vishu Tolan (Vice President – Pan Am)
  • Greysia Polii (Chair – Athletes’ Commission)

BWF Updates

  • During today’s AGM, the BWF membership formalised the permanent banning of the ‘spin serve’ as per Law 9.1.5.
  • The next BWF AGM is planned for April or May 2026 in conjunction with the BWF Thomas & Uber Cup Finals 2026 in Horsens, Denmark. The exact date will be announced before 31 October 2025.
  • BWF can confirm Richard Vaughan as the new Chief Operating Officer, who began on 1 April 2025. Vaughan has joined as part of BWF succession plans that will see him replace Stuart Borrie who has served as COO for over 17 years.
  • Borrie will remain with the BWF during a transition period in a new Project Director role in order to ensure a smooth onboarding for Vaughan, as well as creating added capacity to develop badminton even further in the years to come.

Member Association Awards 2025

  • BWF Membership Grant Programme Impact Award
    • Federation Nacional de Badminton de Honduras
  • Participation Award
    • Federation Francaise de Badminton
  • Inclusion Award (joint winners)
    • Azerbaijan Badminton Federation
    • Federation Senegalaise de Badminton
  • Promotion Award
    • Egyptian Badminton Federation

BWF World Tour News

‘His Story Must be Told’

“I have told his story 500 times and it must be told 500 more times. It’s the most inspiring story I have ever heard,” said former Liverpool Football Club Manager Jurgen Klopp as he spoke to media after watching his friend SL3 player Wojtek Czyz compete on Day 1 of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

“It’s just not normal, especially his sailing story and he didn’t even know how to sail,” said Klopp, referring to Czyz’ five-year sailing trip around the world several years ago. “His story is so inspiring, so special and the world needs to hear it.”

Czyz struck up a friendship with the German manager more than 20 years ago with Klopp heralding Czyz’s ‘crazy story’ to media post-match. The two revived their friendship playing frisbee on a beach before Klopp took over the high-profile role at Liverpool FC and Czyz went sailing around the world with his wife donating prostheses to those who couldn’t afford it.

“I said to Jurgen back then on the beach, ‘Hey, what are you doing here?’. And now all those years later, here we are,” said Czyz.

Czyz is the first player from New Zealand to compete in Para Badminton at the Paralympic Games.

Czyz was a 21-year-old footballer with SC Fortuna Koln when during a match the opposing team’s goalkeeper crashed into him causing multiple fractures and his leg to be amputated.

Not to be stopped, Czyz then went on to have a stellar athletics career, winning gold medals in 100m, 200m and long jump at the Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 Paralympics, as well as multiple world titles.

After more than a decade of professional athletics, he retired in 2013 and went sailing around the world, ending up in New Zealand, where he and his wife relocated permanently, started a family, and now run a manuka honey farm. Incredibly, he only took up Para badminton three years ago.

Speaking from the Porte de la Chapelle Arena, Klopp said of Czyz’s performance: “I enjoyed watching the match. Well, the seven points that he [Wojtek] won, ha ha ha,” he said jokingly, acknowledging the 21-5 21-2 result against Great Britain’s No.1 seed, Daniel Bethell.

“I sat next to his incredible wife, Elena, and we both had tears in our eyes. Sport can be about results and winning, but there’s much more behind his story. He’s 44-years-old. I can’t get my head around it.

“Yes, he played the best in the world today, but I enjoyed every second of it. We celebrated each point and we kept going. It was pure joy. I couldn’t be prouder of Wojtek and to be here.”

Klopp and Czyz’s wife, Elena shed tears of joy watching Wojtek play on Day 1 at Paris 2024.

Czyz said of the experience: “Maybe it wasn’t the best match to have Jurgen watch me, when you’re playing against the best in the world. I think you’re looking at the gold medallist right there.

“But we’re here to advocate the sport for the future. If we can do something and that gives the next generation access to disabled sport and better support, then that’s great.

“With Jurgen’s presence, I think it’s a great statement that we need for Para badminton and that makes me very proud of him, and I’m really thankful for that.”

For the ex-Liverpool man, being in Paris for the Paralympics and supporting Wojtek is part of his quest to help increase the exposure of Para sports.

“I went to the Opening Ceremony and it was spectacular, like a Taylor Swift concert. I saw China and Brazil with these huge delegations of athletes and I was blown away. I didn’t expect that.

“The greatest stories are in Para sports. I am always trying to watch as many Para events as possible and it’s made easier these days with streaming. The whole thing has been wonderful and I’m just glad to support my friend,” said a smiling Klopp.

BWF World Tour News

2022汇丰世界羽联世界巡回赛总决赛迁往曼谷举办

世界羽毛球联合会(BWF)宣布2022汇丰世界羽联世界巡回赛总决赛将不继续在中国广州举办。

赛事将迁往泰国曼谷Nimibutr体育馆举办,由于场馆档期和比赛地变更,比赛日期为12月7日至11日,比广州原计划日期提前一周。

世界羽联经与中国羽毛球协会(CBA)协商后同意,鉴于目前疫情形势带来的各种挑战,易地举办2022汇丰世界羽联世界巡回赛总决赛。

世界羽联感谢中国羽毛球协会、广州市政府和广州市体育局所作的出色工作。

世界羽联还要感谢泰国羽毛球协会在这么短的时间内为2022汇丰世界羽联世界巡回赛总决赛提供替代举办地点。

2022汇丰世界羽联世界巡回赛总决赛的参赛运动员名单将在1122日澳大利亚公开赛结束后确认。

BWF World Tour News

2022年汇丰世界羽联世界巡回赛总决赛重回广州

世界羽联确认,2022年汇丰世界羽联世界巡回赛总决赛将于12月14日至18日在广州举办。这是继2019年之后,中国大陆首次举办国际羽毛球巡回赛。

本赛季各单项最顶尖的八位/组球员将在广州天河体育馆标志性的红色地胶上争夺赛季末的最高荣誉,以及羽毛球史上最高的奖金池——150万美元。

世界羽联秘书长托马斯·伦德表示,国际羽毛球巡回赛再次回到中国对这项运动来说是积极的一步。

伦德说:“汇丰世界羽联世界巡回赛总决赛是我们一年中最重要的赛事之一,我们很高兴能与中国羽协、广州市政府和我们的主要合作伙伴汇丰银行合作,将总决赛带回广州。”

“我们也感谢中国政府向世界顶级羽毛球运动员发出邀请,我们仍然有信心,我们的东道主将以最高标准为运动员提供安全和舒适的总决赛。”

“广州已经在2018年和2019年举办了两届精彩的汇丰世界羽联世界巡回赛总决赛,我们期待着为中国的球迷们再次举办一场羽球盛会。”

赛季缩短

即将在10月和11月举行的巡回赛是球员们争夺总决赛积分的最后机会,伦德也确认了2022中国常州公开赛(超级1000)和2022中国福州公开赛(超级750)已被取消。

伦德表示:“遗憾的是,原本在常州和福州举办两站公开赛的计划将无法推进。对于羽毛球界来说,这是至关重要的一年,我们非常自豪能够举办汇丰世界羽联世界巡回赛的绝大部分比赛。现在的焦点转向了未来几周将举办的汇丰世界羽联世界巡回赛和赛季末的总决赛,在未来几周球员们将为了更多的积分而奋战。”

汇丰世界羽联世界巡回赛总决赛的参赛选手名单将于2022年澳大利亚公开赛结束后1122日确定。

BWF World Tour News

东京世锦赛半决赛:中国队三项进决赛

2022年道达尔能源世界羽联羽毛球世锦赛五个单项决赛选手全部产生。中国队在女单、女双和混双项目中各获一个决赛席位,分别是:陈雨菲、陈清晨/贾一凡和郑思维/黄雅琼。其中陈雨菲击败戴资颖,中国队女单时隔八年重返世锦赛决赛。

中国男单选手赵俊鹏以20-22、6-21不敌泰国选手昆拉武特,无缘决赛,获得其职业生涯第一块世锦赛铜牌。昆拉武特成为了世界羽联世锦赛男单决赛中第一位泰国选手,将在决赛中面对安赛龙

Kunlavut Vitidsarn

昆拉武特赛后采访时说道:“我很高兴,这是我第二次参加世锦赛。在第一局比赛中我确实犯了一些错误,但在第二局比赛中我可以很好地控制球。我的注意力集中在控制上,因为球场有风。我期待着在决赛中与安赛龙交手。我想向他学习,他是如何在每场比赛中都打得那么好。我没有压力,因为他是最受欢迎的。”

另一场男单半决赛,安赛龙以2-0的战绩击败了周天成,在第二局14比16落后的情况下,安赛龙积极调整心态,并在接下来的8分中拿下了7分,终结了比赛的悬念。

Viktor Axelsen

“我很高兴我在第二局比赛中取得了进步。对手给了我很大的困难,但在精神上,我成功地加快了步伐,这意味着我可以赢得比赛。我告诉自己,我必须专注于每一分,认真防守。我做到了,并且赢得了一些关键的分数。”关于决赛,安赛龙说:“我对自己现在的状态非常满意,我很享受。我不会考虑谁是弱者,谁不是。我期待着明天一场精彩的比赛。这将是艰难的。”

女单决赛将由奥运会冠军陈雨菲对阵卫冕冠军山口茜。半决赛中,陈雨菲以15-21丢掉首局后,以21-14、21-18连扳两局,成为李雪芮在2014年世锦赛获得亚军以后,首位打入女单决赛的中国队选手。山口茜在另外一场比赛中快速战胜了韩国选手安洗莹,晋级决赛。

陈雨菲在赛后采访时表示:“因为这次比赛球比较慢,在场上对抗的拍数会很多,自己在比赛中一直没有放弃,通过多拍相持去逼迫对手失误。”谈到决赛,陈雨菲坦言“全力以赴展示最好的自己,不留遗憾。”

女双比赛中,头号种子陈清晨/贾一凡迎战日本组合松本麻佑/永原和可那,陈清晨/贾一凡以21-13、21-14击败曾同为两届世锦赛冠军的松本麻佑/永原和可那,将与韩国组合金昭映/孔熙容争夺冠军,后者在半决赛中以2-1险胜泰国组合菩提塔/沙西丽。

混双半决赛,头号种子郑思维/黄雅琼经过三局苦战,以21-16、12-21、21-10战胜了队友王懿律/黄东萍,第三次闯入决赛。他们决赛的对手是日本组合渡边勇大/东野有纱。

BWF World Tour News

赵芸蕾入选2022年世界羽联名人堂

中国羽毛球双打传奇赵芸蕾入选2022年世界羽毛球联合会(BWF)名人堂,一同入选的还有与其同时代征战羽坛的印尼双打名将莉莉亚娜·纳西尔。

赵芸蕾是她那个时代最全能的双打运动员。 在很长一段时间内,她在混双和女双两个项目中的统治地位无人能及。退役后, 她成为了史上最优秀的羽毛球运动员之一——细数她职业生涯中所获得的冠军头衔,包括两枚奥运会金牌和五枚世锦赛金牌。

Zhao Yunlei (right) with Tian Qing at London 2012 Olympics after winning women’s doubles gold.

世界羽毛球联合会主席保罗·埃里克·霍耶对赵芸蕾入选BWF名人堂表示祝贺。

他说,“入选世界羽联名人堂是对羽毛球运动员最大的致敬。名人堂旨在表彰精英中的精英,赵芸蕾当之无愧地占有一席之地。赢得奥运会或世锦赛金牌是大多数运动员的梦想,而赵芸蕾取得了这两项大赛的双冠王,这是一项了不起的成就。”

赵芸蕾

赛场上的赵芸蕾总是充满信心,她对比赛有着敏锐的洞察,她出色的攻防技巧,以及时刻保持冷静应对突发情况的头脑,帮助她赢得了多次比赛。其中,在她与张楠搭档的混双以及与田卿搭档的女双比赛中表现尤为突出。尽管在高强度的赛事环境中同时参加两个项目的比赛,然而赵芸蕾似乎享受压力,在伦敦奥运会和两届世锦赛上取得了双冠王。 她成为唯一一位在一届奥运会上拿到两枚金牌的羽毛球运动员,也是唯一一位在连续两届世锦赛上获得两个双打冠军的羽毛球运动员。

Click Here for the BWF Hall of Fame Honour Roll

赵芸蕾将于2022年6月24日周五下午两点举办的线上典礼和媒体活动中正式被官方授誉。

BWF World Tour News

2024年巴黎奥运会羽毛球参赛资格规则

世界羽毛球联合会(以下简称:BWF)的2024年巴黎奥运会参赛资格规则已经得到国际奥委会(以下简称:IOC)的批准。巴黎奥运会积分周期将于2023年5月1日开始持续到2024年4月28日,以2024年4月30日的奥运积分排名名单来确定。

羽毛球参赛总名额为172个(男86个,女86个),除常规名额(166个)外,还包括2个主办国名额和4个额外名额。每个国家或地区协会派出的男女运动员的名额都不得超过8个。

单打

在每个单打项目中,国家或地区协会至少需要两位球员排在奥运积分前16位,才能获得两个满额参赛名额。共有35个名额,一个东道国名额,两个额外名额。额外名额将在资格期结束后由三方委员会确定。每个单打项目还必须至少有两名来自五大洲协会的运动员,前提是他们的排名在前250名之内。

双打

在每个双打项目中,国家或地区协会至少需要两组球员排在奥运积分前8位,才能获得两个满额参赛名额。每个双打项目还必须至少有一对来自五大洲协会的运动员,前提是他们的排名在前50名之内。

考虑到所有项目的参赛资格,没有任何国家或地区协会可以在单个项目中派出超过2组以上运动员。

国际奥委会官网上查看已批准的2024年巴黎奥运会参赛资格规则

BWF World Tour News

关于世锦赛的退赛声明

世界羽联确认将有大批印尼选手退出将于12月12日在西班牙韦尔瓦举行的2021道达尔能源世锦赛

印尼羽毛球协会(PBSI)周三上午宣布了这一消息,表达了与新冠肺炎疫情相关的担忧。还有一小部分印尼选手仍在签表中。

世界羽联对PBSI的决定感到失望,并对在抽签后退出感到遗憾。

然而,世界羽联和西班牙羽毛球联合会目前正根据地方和国家卫生当局制定的建议和措施,包括针对所有运动员、团队官员和主要利益攸关方的一套全面的安全协议,集中精力举办一场安全、成功的世锦赛。

此外男单卫冕冠军、世界第二桃田贤斗因伤退出比赛,世界羽联也确认了这一不幸消息。桃田贤斗还退出了上周的2021汇丰世界羽联世界巡回赛总决赛,并已返回日本。

混双7号种子陈炳顺吴柳莹在搭档13年后宣布解散,并退出世锦赛。

大多数球员现在已经安全抵达韦尔瓦并进入了“安全泡泡”。第一轮比赛将于当地时间周日上午10点开始。目前没有重新抽签的计划。

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老牌男双高成炫/申白喆夺得法国公开赛冠军

2021尤尼克斯法国公开赛男双决赛中,韩国老将组合高成炫/申白喆击败了世界排名第一吉迪恩/苏卡穆约,自2019年澳大利亚公开赛后再次夺得男双冠军。

Shin Baekcheol.

这是属于两位老将的标志性胜利,他们用韩国的传统打法击败了世界最顶级的男双组合。34岁的高成炫和32岁的申白喆是2016年里约奥运会后退役的几对顶级男双选手之一;他们于2018年复出,但复出之旅磕磕绊绊。与此同时,小黄人组合将自己塑造成里约后男双一代的佼佼者。

但韩国老将今天的表现表明,他们的技术仍旧是最顶级的;不管对手的什么球,他们都用顽强的防守化解;他们调动苏卡穆约让他无法发挥前场的实力,当机会来临时,他们由守转攻一击制胜。

高成炫获得了他的第三个法国公开赛冠军(前两次分别搭档李龙大和金荷娜),申白喆获得了他的第一个法国公开赛冠军。“在来这里之前,我们都不认为我们能赢,”高成炫说。“每次胜利后,我们都感觉更好,今天我们超级开心。几年前我们离开了国家队,在疫情之后,这是我们第一次进入高级别赛事决赛,所以这对我们来说真的很重要。”

“与年轻选手相比,我们体能限制很大,所以很难跟上他们。我们有经验,这对我们今天很有帮助。这取决于具体情况。也许今天我们的处理得比对手好。他们真的是很好的球员。很难把他们和我们同时代的人相比。即使在那时,也有很多人比我们更好。”

申白喆说:“我们没有任何遗憾。但在我们不打球的那段时间里,我们对自己的未来感到不安。现在我们很高兴我们今天做到了。这是我第一次在法国参加决赛,所以意义重大。在这之后,我们将对未来的重大比赛更有信心。”

他们的的同胞李绍熙申昇瓒早些时候以21-17、21-12击败队友金昭映/孔熙容获得了女双冠军,继2019年后再次登上最高领奖台。

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2021苏迪曼杯:中国队第12次夺冠

2021道达尔能源世界羽联苏迪曼杯总决赛决赛中,卫冕冠军中国队以3-1击败日本队,第12次捧起苏迪曼杯。

纵观全场比赛,双方都展现了超强水准,年轻的球员们表现出了与久经沙场的球星们一样的抗压能力。在上一届苏迪曼杯上,日本队以0-3被中国队击败,这次他们试图推翻这一结果,但他们不得不再次区居亚军。

Zhou Hao Dong and He Ji Ting provided the breakthrough for China.

中国队教练张军谈到了对年轻队员的信任,以及他们在这场重大赛事中坚守立场的能力。让一位球员上两个单项的计划被搁置,中国选择了何济霆周昊东参加男双。

结果如愿以偿。保木卓朗/小林优吾在一个多小时的时间里与中国的年轻队员进行了战斗,但日本人错误地过度依赖防守。在比赛的最后阶段,何济霆/周昊东始终保持着进攻的活力,帮助中国队取得了领先。

“我们在四分之一决赛中输给了丹麦,我们吸取了教训——我们试着更有耐心,”周昊东说。

在上届苏迪曼杯决赛中,山口茜输给了陈雨菲。今天山口一心要进攻。日本人不愿意在对抗赛中留下遗憾,她保持着陈雨菲难以跟上的速度。即使当她的对手找到空档时,山口茜也依靠着顽强的跑动进行补救。正是这种更顽强的风格帮助山口茜赢得了比赛,因为陈雨菲在其他方面还是一如既往的精确和稳定。

Akane Yamaguchi kept Japan in the hunt.

“上一届苏迪曼杯我也是同样的情况,但我输了,所以我不想重蹈覆辙。而且,她是奥运会金牌得主,所以我决定挑战她。”山口说。“我只是想打一场稳定的比赛。我知道她打了几场长时间的比赛,一定会累的。我没有打过这么多长时间的比赛,所以我很有活力。”

在一场高质量的开局之后,男单比赛出现了最令人好奇的转折。开局似乎消耗了石宇奇太多精力,因此他放弃了第二局,把所有精力留到第三局上。无论是这一周累积的疲劳,还是仅仅精神上的压力,桃田贤斗又一次输了。世界第一面对石宇奇的不断高强度进攻,并没有什么办法能够应对,最终石宇奇以2-1击败对手,使中国队以2-1领先。

Shi Yu Qi took advantage of an under-par Momota.

桃田否认疲劳是他在第三局比赛中有点无精打采的原因。“我被对手的进攻能力压垮了,所以我输了。我没有那么累,但我找不到赢球的方法。”

石宇奇在庆祝他2019年7月受伤复出后的最佳时刻时,承诺要比受伤前更好。“我放弃了第二局以恢复我的体力。我必须把所有的精力都放在第三局比赛上。我有90%的最佳状态。赢得比赛是一件很棒的事情,但我的目标不是回到以前的水平——我要达到以前水平的120% !”

Chen Qing Chen is mobbed by her teammates after the women’s doubles victory gave the title to China.

日本最后的希望寄托在女双临时组合上,松本麻佑/松友美佐纪给陈清晨/贾一凡造成了不小的麻烦。中国组合一路经受着考验,她们表现出了出色的气质,关键时刻下手更加果断。

随着21-17 21-16的胜利,苏迪曼杯留在了中国。“奥运会之后,这个冠军让我们可以再次激励我们的队员,”张军说,“我们本届苏杯男双阵容上不是最完美的,对泰国和丹麦我们有一些困难,但我们决定让年轻球员上场,我们信任他们的能力,他们今天做的很好。”
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2021苏迪曼杯:克服困难,桃田贤斗重新出发

2021道达尔能源世界羽联苏迪曼杯总决赛 第三比赛日中,桃田贤斗率领的日本队5-0击败英格兰队,将与马来西亚队争夺小组头名位置。

在东京奥运会小组赛阶段被淘汰之后,球迷对桃田的状态充满了好奇。今天,在D组日本对阵英格兰的比赛中,渡边勇大/东野有纱帮助日本取得领先后,桃田贤斗在与世界排名第205位的托尔森的比赛中,看上去与巅峰时期的状态还相距甚远。

日本人经常被托尔森的杀直线所击溃,这位22岁的英格兰球员打得非常轻松,然而最后一记发球将优势拱手让给了桃田,他在第一局比赛中获得了信心,并在没有进一步失误的情况下结束了比赛。

“一开始我非常紧张,无法发挥自己的能力。接近第二局的时候,我让自己冷静下来,控制住自己的比赛。”

Johnnie Torjussen.

“我希望在专注度方面有所提高。我今天很紧张,不能专注于一件事。不过,好在我能让自己冷静下来。”

托尔森说,他对自己的表现感到惊讶。

“这对我来说绝对是一个惊喜,我不知道他是否感到紧张。很高兴看到我的扣杀能够穿透他的防守。我认为这对我来说绝对是一个巨大的信心助推器,能够在与世界上最好的球员的比赛中取得这样的成绩。我想在未来面对每一个球员时都这样做。”

本·莱恩和文迪不敌古贺辉/斋藤太一,没能阻止日本队。 山口茜以21-16/21-12击败霍尔顿,之后志田千阳/松山奈未在与布里奇/史密斯的比赛中直落两局,帮助日本队5-0完胜英格兰队。

在另一场B组比赛中,马来西亚以5比0击败埃及,而在B组中,中华台北以5比0击败德国,韩国以同样的优势击败了塔希提岛。

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Indonesia Open: Young Guns Fire

Some time after Indonesia’s hottest young pair was done with their second round at the POLYTRON Indonesia Open 2026, the Istora was still crackling with the electricity of their performance.

Raymond Indra and Nikolaus Joaquin, their partnership just over a year old, have already been scalping the big names while summitting smaller peaks. Today, at the young pair’s first Indonesia Open, it was Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik’s turn to feel the heat. The Indonesians played at a breathless pace, all blindingly quick rallies and rapid-fire exchanges and whippy smashes, until the Malaysians left to pick the pieces of a 33-minute demolition job.

Having fallen 21-14 21-14 Chia and Soh were at a loss for words.

“They’re young and confident,” was all Chia could say.

“Today was truly extraordinary,” said Joaquin. “What I felt most was the crowd. I thought it was already lively yesterday, but thank God, it was even more so today. That made Raymond and me even more ambitious.”

Next up will be eighth seeds Takuro Hoki/Yugo Kobayashi.

Hariharan Amsakarunan and MR Arjun

In the top half of the draw, another young pair – 2024 World Junior champions Kang Khai Xing/Aaron Tai – however faltered before India’s Hariharan Amsakarunan/Arjun MR, who made their first Super 1000 quarterfinal.

It was a tight battle all the way, with the Indians having extensively prepared for the service return of the Malaysians’ exceptional spin serves. Arjun said their coach Tan Kim Her had thrown spinning shuttles during their warm-up.

“Clearly we knew we had a chance for taking this match, because we played them once at the Syed Modi (Super 300) where we lost out in the third game,” said Arjun. “Satwik and Chirag had played them recently, and I sat behind them as a coach along with coach Tan. We clearly knew what to expect. Before the match, coach Tan was telling us to practice those spin returns. He was throwing us shuttles like that, because they’re good at spinning the shuttle in service, so it is very tricky.

“With any other team, only one of the players would do the spin serve, not both. When they (Kang/Tai) serve, it’s like a continuous streak of points.”

Highlights

» Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul avenged his Malaysia Masters final loss to Li Shi Feng, beating the seventh seed 18-21 21-8 21-12.

» Goh Soon Huat and Lai Shevon Jemie made their first Super 1000 quarterfinal since last year’s Indonesia Open, beating Jafar Hidayatullah/Felisha Alberta Pasaribu 21-15 21-19.

» Victor Lai proved too hard to contain for Koki Watanabe, with the Canadian winning 21-10 21-9.

What They Said

“We were down in the third game, 6-11, and I wasn’t confident and felt under pressure, but my partner was boosting me up, so I could manage playing the shuttle inside the code without mistakes.” – Hariharan Amsakarunan, on making his first Super 1000 quarterfinals with MR Arjun

“Physically, I’m a bit tired, mentally the same, and definitely I’m pushing like crazy also today to get it in two sets, and I think I have good control now. It’s about the mental toughness, and to fight for it.” – Alex Lanier

“Indonesian fans always support me a lot, so I really enjoy it. However, I pray, good or bad, they continue to support. So I really appreciate my second home.” – Chou Tien Chen

→Results (Round 2)

 

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Indonesia Open: Home Pair Survive USA Scare

USA continued to make a buzz late into Wednesday evening at the POLYTRON Indonesia Open 2026, with Chen Zhi Yi/Presley Smith very nearly taking out sixth seeds Sabar Karyaman Gutama/Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani.

After the morning session, in which Francesca Corbett/Jennie Gai created a sensation by beating world No.4 Jia Yi Fan/Zhang Shu Xian, it was their teammates’ turn as they came to within a point of a similar outcome.

Having recovered from 14-18 down in the third, Chen and Smith overtook the Indonesians, saving a match point and holding one of their own. However, with the roaring crowd and nerves setting in, the opportunity slipped, and the home pair squeezed past, 21-19 13-21 23-21.

Sabar Gutama and Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani

“It was tough, but I think we played pretty well, so we’re happy about the performance, but it’s always so close we get with some top 10 pairs, it’s just that little bit at the end, we can’t convert, so still much to work on,” said Smith.

“I was already happy to see them (Corbett/Gai) win in the morning, like I was in the Airbnb watching the match. I was so excited. I thought, now I have the pressure, now I have to do well too. I think we’re improving a lot year by year.”

The difference, he said, had come down to nerves at the end.

“It’s just at that point it’s a more mental battle than physical. Everyone is nervous, shaking, even shaking while serving. It’s just about who makes the right decision, like how risky it is, you have to take the risk, or if you want to play safe, then play safe. On my serve at match point, he (Isfahani) had a great return, it hit the net, and I hit a bad shot in return and he just killed it… They kept it together at the end, unlike us, so they deserved the win.”

Victor Lai

Pan Am had cause to rejoice, however, with Victor Lai outgunning All England champion Lin Chun-Yi in straight games. The Canadian, who had fallen to Lin in a close semifinal of the India Open, was dominant in the opening game and then whittled down a big deficit in the second.

“My coach just told me to stay focused because it’s really easy to just get distracted, like it’s really easy to look at another court or hear the fans, and just look around, so he told me to stay grounded, and also when I was on the quicker side, it’s easier (for the shuttle) to go out, right? My opponent’s also going to have an easier time attacking. So it was really important for me, like my coach reminded me just to play the front very well, to not give him the easy chance, because if it’s an easy chance, even the best defense in the world can’t get a smash.”

Highlights

» Defending champion Anders Antonsen was among the high-profile casualties, falling in in 39 minutes to recent Singapore Open champion Alex Lanier, 21-8 21-17.

» Women’s doubles third seeds Baek Ha Na/Lee So Hee were upset by home pair Amallia Cahaya Pratiwi/Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti 21-13 17-21 21-14.

» Recent Malaysia Masters champion Ratchanok Intanon fell in three close games to Chiu Pin-Chian 19-21 16-21 21-19.

» Men doubles third seeds Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri were shown the door by Chen Bo Yang/Liu Yi, 21-13 21-14.

What They Said

“Right now we are in a good place, like this is the peak of our career so we have a lot of confidence in taking it tournament by tournament and trying to keep the momentum up.” – Alexandra Boje

“We have been playing well in all these Southeast Asian tournaments, where there is a lot of drift, so I think we are performing well in tricky conditions.” – Mathias Christiansen

“To be honest, I feel good, but also a little bit annoyed, because I believe that he didn’t play his best match. I did the right thing tactically, and also to stay in it when he was not playing the best, and he tried to put pressure on me, so I’m proud to actually manage the match like this.” – Alex Lanier, after beating defending champ Anders Antonsen

→Results (Day 2)

→Order of Play (Day 3)

 

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Indonesia Open: Sensational Birthday Gift for Corbett

Francesca Corbett couldn’t have won herself a better birthday gift, as she and Jennie Gai pulled off the biggest win of their career by upstaging world No.4 Jia Yi Fan/Zhang Shu Xian in the first round of the POLYTRON Indonesia Open 2026.

It was their first win over a top Chinese pair and came just three days after Jia/Zhang had topped the podium at the KFF Singapore Open 2026.

The USA pair started strongly in drifty conditions, taking the opening game for the loss of just nine points. However, the Chinese forced a decider and opened a four-point lead at 16-12, only for Corbett/Gai to stitch up a five-point sequence and take the lead at the death. Jia and Zhang had one match point, but the USA duo got a lifeline with Jia’s flicked serve landing wide.

They earned their own match point and converted on the second opportunity.

“Definitely our best win,” beamed Corbett, with the sensational win coming on her 21st birthday.

Francesca Corbett (right) and Jennie Gai

“She (Jia) has a really good serve, so I knew, like, at some point in the match, she would probably get us on one of the flicks, and I think we just got really lucky that the drift also was towards the side that she hit out on. So I was really happy that we could get one more chance to fight for another point.

“I’m a little bit in disbelief. At the very end it was really, really close, and I was just trying to keep my focus. You really have to focus in this arena, because it’s really loud, so I was just trying to focus on each point itself. I’m a little bit shocked. It’s a huge sensation.”

Gai traced their confidence to the Indonesia Masters at this venue in January, where they nearly tripped Pearly TanThinaah Muralitharan in three close games.

“The last time we played here in January at Istora, we played a close game with Pearly and Thinaah. So I had the confidence over the past year that we can play with the top players, but as Frankie said, it was just about keeping our focus at the crucial points, and not letting the crowd or the score distract us too much.

“We’ve had a lot of close games, but it always ends like not on our side in the last few points, so I thought it would happen again today, but I’m glad we were able to just encourage each other and just to keep our focus, and I think moving forward it’s still going to be very hard, but having this confidence maybe can help us do better.”

As for the birthday girl, she remembered to thank her coaches Tony Gunawan and Naoko Fukuman.

“I’m just really happy, I have really good teammates around me, and our coaches Tony and Naoko, they push me a lot and make me become a better person, so I’m happy I’m able to also be happy on the court as well.”

“We got a little cake,” added Jennie, “but we still had the match, so we just focused on that, but now we can celebrate a little bit tonight, but still focus for tomorrow’s match.”

→Results (Day 2)

 

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Where to Watch: POLYTRON Indonesia Open 2026

You can also follow POLYTRON Indonesia Open 2026 on BWF TV.

** Check your local TV guides for broadcast times and details **

BWF World Tour News

Indonesia Open: Relief for Leong With Win Over Naraoka

Leong Jun Hao found some light at the end of a tunnel as he overcame Kodai Naraoka to make the second round of the POLYTRON Indonesia Open 2026.

The Malaysian world No.27 had had to endure weeks of tumult, facing flak from his home fans after losing all three of his matches at the BWF Thomas Cup Finals. He had little respite in the weeks that followed as he lost in the opening rounds of his next two tournaments.

At the Istora Senayan today Leong faced Naraoka, who’d beaten him in straight games at the Thomas Cup. The Malaysian however looked a different version of himself, appearing sharper and more positive as he forced Naraoka into fending off his attacks. From 15-17 in the second he stormed past with six straight points to close out the match 21-17 21-17. It was his first match win since the YONEX All England in March.

“It was a difficult time, the last few months,” admitted Leong. “I just had to believe in myself. It’s been long since I had a good match like this. This win gives me confidence and to stay consistent for the following match. This is the best I’ve played in a long time.”

Highlights

» Alwi Farhan got off to a good start in his home campaign, holding off a difficult challenge from Lakshya Sen in straight games, 21-19 21-16.

» Liu Kuang Heng/Hsu Yin-Hui survived match point to break the hearts of home fans as they beat Bobby Setiabudi/Melati Daeva Oktavianti 21-11 21-23 21-19.

» It was a close shave for Kim Ga Eun as well, as the Korean fought back from 16-19 in the third game to beat Riko Gunji 21-8 11-21 24-22.

What They Said

“We train separately. I’m in Malaysia and he’s in Korea. We only get together during tournaments. We haven’t played together for five months. It is difficult at tournaments, we have to adapt very quickly during the match. He speaks a little English and that’s how we communicate.” – Goh V Shem on Korean partner Choi Sol Gyu

“The wind was very strong and I couldn’t control the shuttle in the second game. I’ve played in Indonesia before but this time the wind is stronger and the shuttles are faster. I’m playing my fourth tournament in four weeks, but I’m not very tired. But I need to be stronger mentally.” – Chen Yu Fei

“This is my first time playing an Indonesian pair in Indonesia. This is the first time I’m having a crowd so loud for my game. But I was pretty excited, as it’s a very special experience. I used it as motivation for a good game. The crowd will cheer very loud for their players, so when it’s close, it can be pressuring but we have to communicate well and play our game.” – Jennie Gai

“Sometimes it’s hard. Sometimes you have to yell to each other, and you can’t even hear yourself. It’s the same for our opponents as well. We just have to play through it.” – Presley Smith

→Results (Day 1) 

→Order of Play (Day 2)

BWF World Tour News

Indonesia Open: Explosive Opener in Store

Defending champion Anders Antonsen meets KFF Singapore Open champion Alex Lanier in a potentially explosive opening round at the POLYTRON Indonesia Open 2026 that begins Tuesday.

Antonsen has an enviable record at the iconic Istora, featuring in six finals (Indonesia Masters and Indonesia Open), and winning three. But on Wednesday he takes on a player who beat him last week in Singapore on his way to winning the title.

On Sunday, having become the first Frenchman to win the men’s singles title at the Singapore Open, Lanier talked of how pleased he was with his fighting qualities.

“I’m proud of the way I fought like crazy. It was a lot of determination, trying to elevate mentally to stay in it, to stay all the time and wait for my chance. And it came. It’s very tough to win in men’s singles, it’s crazy tough. I should also enjoy the way I played but also the way I fought like crazy, because to win a (World Tour Super) 750 or 1000 or even a 500 you need to fight like crazy. It’s so demanding, so I think should be proud and also excited about the upcoming tournament.”

Lanier is still on the way up, but he already has an even record with Antonsen, winning two of their four matches.

Other first round men’s singles matches to look forward to include Victor Laii against Lin Chun-Yi; Ayush Shetty against Weng Hong Yang, and Alwi Farhan against Lakshya Sen.

Aaron Tai (right) and Kang Khai Xing

In men’s doubles, Singapore Open champions Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty are up against young Malaysian prodigies Aaron Tai/Kang Khai Xing, while defending champions Kim Won Ho/Seo Seung Jae face difficult opponents first up in Chiu Hsiang Chieh/Wang Chi-Lin.

In mixed doubles, top seeds Feng Yan Zhe/Huang Dong Ping, who suffered a surprise first round exit last week, have a chance for redemption as they face their vanquishers from Singapore, Jimmy Wong/Cheng Su Yin.

Mathias Christiansen/Alexandra Boje, in red-hot form with two titles in three weeks, meet Malaysia Masters runners-up Pakkapon Teeraratsakul/Sapsiree Taerattanachai in the first round.

Time Clock in Operation

The Indonesia Open 2026 will see the Time Clock in operation; it will be integrated with the scoreboard.

Promotions

Men’s Doubles: Kevin Lee/Ty Alexander Lindeman

Mixed Doubles: Hoo Pang Ron/Lai Pei Jing; Liu Kuang Heng/Hsu Yin-Hui

Withdrawals

Men’s Doubles: Kim Astrup/Anders Skaarup Rasmussen

Mixed Doubles: Chen Tang Jie/Toh Ee Wei; Yuta Watanabe/Maya Taguchi

→Order of Play (Round 1)

BWF World Tour News

BWF World Championships 2026 – Final List of Qualified and Reserves

Please find attached the final list of players/pairs qualified for the BWF World Championships 2026 as well as the reserve list for each event. All players/pairs who have confirmed their eligibility to be included on the reserve list are listed but please note that as per BWF Statutes, Section 5.3.9: Eligibility & Processing of Entries for World Championships – clause 3.2.24: “Any vacancy arising thereafter in any draw will be filled from the reserve list, provided the total number of Players / pairs from any one Member in an Event does not exceed four.”

For more information about the list of qualifiers, please refer to BWF Statutes, Section 5.3.9: Eligibility & Processing of Entries for World Championships.

The full list of qualifiers can be found in the BWF calendar.

BWF World Tour News

Singapore Open: Champs Live Reborn Dreams

History arrived in different ways at KFF Singapore Open 2026 but for India’s Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty and France’s Alex Lanier, it was ultimately a story about belief – the kind that survives setbacks, heartbreak and doubt.

Rankireddy and Shetty battled back from a game down to defeat Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri 18-21 21-17 21-16, becoming the first men’s pair from their country to win the tournament. Before them, India’s success had been confined to three singles titles.

After a string of early exits in Singapore, they finally reached the semifinals last year. This week, them going all the way also ended a two-year drought dating back to the 2024 Thailand Open.

“We got on to the court knowing it would be a cracker of a match and go to the very end. Two years on, we knew eventually the win would come. We had that belief and it was just a matter of time and finally we got it,” said Shetty.

Victory meant far more for Rankireddy – something deeper, a celebration of continuity, of love returning in a new form, of a family finding joy after loss. The 25-year-old revealed his family had recently welcomed a baby girl, born to his brother. After the sudden passing of his father last year, the arrival brought comfort and hope.

“We felt like my father was reborn,” he said, dedicating the triumph to the newborn and his family. “That rocking baby celebration was for her. Pretty much happy how this day panned out.”

Later, Lanier wrote a different piece of history.

The 21-year-old overcame home favourite Loh Kean Yew 17-21 21-15 21-14 to become his country’s first male champion in tournament history. France’s only previous title had come 20 years earlier through Pi Hong Yan in women’s singles.

Unlike Rankireddy’s story of family renewal, Lanier’s triumph was forged through stubborn resilience. Faced with a partisan crowd and an opponent in inspired form, he refused to panic.

“My coach only told me just one point and one point,” Lanier said. “I wasn’t even thinking about the outcome. I was just thinking, OK, just one more.

“I’m very proud of the way I did. It was a lot of determination, a lot of trying to elevate mentally to stay in it and wait for my chance. It’s a reminder I’m able to play at this level, now it’s just about doing it consistently.”

Lanier and Loh share a laugh post match.

By the end of the week, both champions had discovered the same truth.

For Rankireddy and Shetty, faith carried them through two titleless years and towards a victory dedicated to a new life. For Lanier, determination carried him into French badminton history.

Different journeys, different nations, one memorable Sunday in Singapore.

BWF World Tour News

Singapore Open: One Triumph from Immortality

For years, the Singapore Open has felt a little like unfinished business for Loh Kean Yew.

The 2021 world champion, the hometown hero thousands come to watch – yet the tournament that mattered most to locals had never quite yielded the breakthrough moment. Not until now.

On Saturday night, under the roar of a packed Singapore Indoor Arena, Loh defeated Japan’s Koki Watanabe 21-15 15-21 21-9 to become the first Singaporean men’s singles finalist in 24 years.

The last was Ronaldo Susilo in 2002; to find the champion, the clock must be wound all the way back to 1962, when Wee Choon Seng lifted the title. Since then, generations have waited for a homegrown winner.

Loh arrived at this year’s tournament carrying that history, but perhaps for the first time, not its weight.

After years of battling expectations on home soil, the world No.14 admitted injury setbacks and even the launch of his merchandise line helped shift his focus.

“I have a pretty good distraction this year,” he said with a laugh. “I’ve been injured and that probably took off a little bit of the expectations. I was also doing my merch, putting my mind a lot on that.”

Against Watanabe, there were fears another opportunity could ebb away after Loh surrendered the second game. But from 4-4 in the decider, there was no turning back.

“I just told myself to keep biting and fighting,” said Loh. “We were both quite tired with the high intensity. I just kept telling myself to fight one point by one point.”

Point by point became six straight from 14-6. Then on match point, a successful challenge. Suddenly, the dream was one victory away.

Now comes Frenchman Alex Lanier, who leads their head-to-head 2-1. Yet Loh’s lone victory came at this very arena a year ago, in three games – just like all his matches en route to the final this year.

Asked if this journey felt similar to his world title run, Loh quickly shut down the comparison.

“No, no,” he said. “I still have a match tomorrow.”

In other words, history has to wait one more night. Destiny, however, is already knocking.

Results (Semifinals)

Order of play (Finals)


WHAT OTHERS SAID

“In the first game, I overexerted myself. So I had a headache and a high fever. I hope I recover fast and will be able to do my best in the final.” – An Se Young after defeating Chen Yu Fei

“They were pretty much leading the first game. Then we picked up, it was neck and neck, one point here, one point there. Then it was whoever daring to take risks.” – Satwiksairaj Rankireddy on how he and Chirag Shetty became the first pair to beat Kim Won Ho/Seo Seung Jae this year

“We have some good experience from 2023 when we won here. We played the arena in a certain way and we are just trying to do the same with the drift. Even though sometimes we make stupid mistakes, we still try to do what we think is right.” – Mathias Christiansen on reaching a second Singapore Open final with Alexandra Boje

Intense battle at the front court.

 

BWF World Tour News

Singapore Open: Yamaguchi Breaks Wang Spell, Eyes Another

The door Akane Yamaguchi had been knocking on for six matches finally opened on Saturday at KFF Singapore Open 2026.

The Japanese women’s singles star ended a frustrating run of six defeats to Wang Zhi Yi with a hard-earned 21-13 17-21 21-15 victory, booking her place in a second straight final after winning Thailand Open two Sundays ago.

Curiously, Yamaguchi never treated the losing streak as a puzzle that needed solving.

“I never bothered so much about past results,” she said. “I only think about the match at hand and how I can improve myself. That’s all I have in mind.”

That mindset showed. Calm and composed throughout, Yamaguchi kept errors to a minimum while making Wang work for every point.

“I made very few mistakes so I was able to play calmly,” she said.

The signs had been there – Wang needed three games to beat Yamaguchi in last month’s Asia Championships semifinal and again at the Uber Cup earlier this month. This time, the fine margins tilted the other way.

“The last time I lost by a narrow margin,” Yamaguchi reflected. “A lot of times it has to do with the environment, maybe it’s the air conditioning, maybe it’s the spectators. Perhaps this time the environment caused Wang to make more mistakes than she would have liked.”

Yamaguchi’s trademark court coverage was also impossible to miss. While both players spent plenty of time scrambling, the Japanese star seemed to spring back to her feet almost instantly after every desperate retrieval.

“Regaining my posture and getting up quickly is truly something I always aim for,” she said.

The victory sent Yamaguchi into her first final above Super 500 level since winning the Japan Open in August 2024. It also keeps alive her quest to claim one of the titles missing from her collection, having finished runner-up in Singapore in 2023.

Between her and the trophy is a familiar obstacle: two-time champion An Se Young, who reached her third Singapore Open final after defeating Chen Yu Fei 20-22 21-12 21-15.

It means another puzzle awaits Yamaguchi – the world No.3 has not beaten An in three meetings since the Korea Open final last September.

BWF World Tour News

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