The last of the defending champions fell in an absorbing second round match on a day when a dizzying number of seeds crashed at the YONEX All England 2025.

Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto saved seven match points against new combination Kang Min Hyuk/Ki Dong Ju, but in keeping with the theme of the day’s proceedings, ultimately fell after 80 minutes in a cracker of a match, 21-18 25-27 23-21.

Among the casualties were defending champions Jonatan Christie and Baek Ha Na/Lee So Hee, besides top contenders Anders Antonsen, Kunlavut Vitidsarn, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty and women’s doubles No.8 seeds Kim Hye Jeong/Kong Hee Yong.

Kim and Kong have enjoyed a fabulous run since they got together late last year, and arrived at the All England with two titles from three back-to-back finals. Their run however ended against a pair who have a special relationship with the All England.

India’s Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand Pullela – daughter of 2001 All England champion Pullela Gopichand – and twice semifinalists, gave as good as they got in a match featuring extended bouts of heavy hitting. The Indians took down the in-form Koreans in a marathon match lasting 87 minutes, 15-21 21-18 21-19.

“We came in knowing that there would be long rallies,” said Pullela. “The first game didn’t go our way but in the second we changed our strategy and we started attacking more. Towards the end there were a lot of nerves, there was a lot of pressure, but we handled it well. The All England is very prestigious; Whenever we play here we give 200 per cent. Everything is different and I love playing here.”

Three title contenders in men’s singles – defending champion Christie, Denmark Open champion Antonsen and world champion Vitidsarn – were outplayed, all in straight games.

“I don’t know what happened,” said Christie, beaten in 36 minutes by Lakshya Sen. “I feel the shuttle was very hard to control. It was a little windy and I couldn’t control the shuttle and my strokes. I made too many mistakes and I wasn’t confident enough in the first game. It’s very tough for me because I lost too many points, but it is what it is.”

Antonsen, on the other hand, was fulsome in his praise for his vanquisher Wang Tzu Wei, who, he said, was perfect in the execution of his unorthodox tactics.

“He was very good today, put it all on the line, played as risky as he could. And he succeeded with absolutely everything. His execution in every day was brilliant today,” said Antonsen.

“Nothing really went well for me. The quality in my strokes, my ability to defend, my net, lifts… nothing really worked well, but I think it’s credit to him, he put it all on the line. He is an unorthodox player and character on court as well, so you need to be able to cope with that as well. I have been many times, but today was one of those times when he hit his absolute best. On those days he’s a dangerous guy.”

Vitidsarn was up against an opponent who has made giant strides lately – Alex Lanier.  Having split honours in two meetings this year, the contest was always in the balance, but after a close first game it was Lanier who pushed the right buttons to close it out in straight games, 22-20 21-15.

“I was able to adapt to the conditions and the opponent, and find the solutions today,” said Lanier. “Maybe before the tournament I thought the conditions would be harder. When we practiced on the first day, it was terrible to play, so I was ready and confident that I could adapt. I felt I was able to play well in these conditions.”

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