In due course, it is near-certain that Tomoka Miyazaki will be the spearhead of Japan’s women’s singles campaigns. Just not yet. For the moment, it’s still Akane Yamaguchi.

Teenager Miyazaki, enjoying a meteoric rise and breaking into the top 10 in January, was challenging her senior in the quarterfinals of the YONEX All England, a stage that Yamaguchi has excelled in over the years. Having beaten Yamaguchi at their last meeting in September, and with Yamaguchi playing her first tournament in three months, the challenger had the edge.

For a significant portion of their quarterfinal clash, the schoolgirl was her brilliant best. Playing the exact lengths and angles needed to hold Yamaguchi back, Miyazaki had two game points in the first.

Once those opportunities were lost the momentum shifted. Miyazaki fought gamely but Yamaguchi capitalised on small openings. The 26-24 21-16 result saw her into the semifinals.

How important was it for Yamaguchi to show she was still Japan’s best?

“I’m not too fastidious about having to prove that I’m No.1,” said Yamaguchi. “That’s not motivation or pressure. However it’s wonderful to see young, strong players from the same country and that gives me motivation that I have to keep up, so I have lots to learn from these players and we’d like to motivate each other and grow together.”

Miyazaki, she conceded, was a rare talent – “persistent and patient, able to stay focussed during difficult times”.

“She has strengths that are unique for a Japanese player. She’s good at attacking but at the same time she is cautious and composed. She has speed in shots and variety as well, she is very skilful, which is not something you get by practising. I think she’s gifted. She has tremendous potential especially in her attacking ability.”

In her understated way Yamaguchi explained why this achievement meant much to her: “This is such a prestigious tournament, and to be able to play in the semfiinals is a privilege. It’s not the kind of experience that will come along a lot in my playing career, so I’m grateful. The spectators here are wonderful, they observe quietly during the rally and when we play well they celebrate us with their applause. So to be able to play as many matches as possible in front of such an audience is a great pleasure.

“My condition is not 100 per cent at the moment, so I anticipated a difficult match. I don’t know yet who my semifinal opponent will be, but it will be a top player, and I will do my best and try to have fun at the same time.”

And while Miyazaki will have to await her time, her performance showed she is picking up the tricks of the trade quickly. Still in school, she is already world No.8 and challenging for the biggest titles. A decade ago Yamaguchi was in this position.

“There were tremendously long rallies and it was really hard,” Miyazaki said, her voice a whisper. “However there were some points when I led the game but I couldn’t catch up. So I have some regrets, but I would like to keep up my good work.

“I joined Akane in training camp for the first time and I was shocked by her speed, it was so different from anyone else that I had seen. I’ve played her three times, and like other players, it’s a struggle to score against her, because she is so patient. So I hope I can be like her.”

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