Returning to the circuit after a back muscle tear disrupted his last two tournaments, Kunlavut Vitidsarn survived a stiff opening test from Ayush Shetty at the DAIHATSU Japan Open 2026.

The No.2 seed had retired from his last two matches, at the Singapore Open and Indonesia Open, and said he was feeling much better, although he had yet to fully recover.

Against Shetty, who had beaten him during their last contest at the Badminton Asia Championships in April. Vitidsarn took his time to find the answers, before he eventually pulled away in the third game.

“Shetty was very good today,” acknowledged Vitidsarn. “For me, I’m coming back after one month, and I hope to try everything. Whoever put more pressure first can gain the advantage. I lost to him last time but I didn’t think about that. I just have to try everything before the World Championships.

“Everybody see my condition – I don’t yet feel like a top player. The pain is still there, bu it is like 3 out of 10. I had back pain the last few tournaments, and I could recover after the Indonesia Open. This year there are two big tournaments. I try not to think too much.”

Shetty, who has struggled with an arm injury in recent weeks, matched Vitidsarn shot for shot through the first two games before falling behind in the third.

“I knew it was going to be a tough match, but I was keeping up the pace and moving well,” said Shetty. “I know I’m coming back from injury, but I think I was playing some good badminton. I managed to play really well on a few points to pull off the second game, but he upped the pace in the third and I was impatient on a few points.

“I did well in a few areas, like I was approaching the net well. But Kunlavut changed the game a bit; in the third he controlled the net, and he didn’t give me any chance. He played some really good lifts and deceptions.

“A bit disappointed with the loss, but I played well, and coming back from the injury, it was a good match.”

Shetty’s compatriot Lakshya Sen too came up short, falling in his opening round to home hope Koki Watanabe, 21-16 21-14.

Among the close matches of the day was Presley Smith/Jennie Gai falling 18-21 21-17 22-20 to Chan Yin Chak/Ng Tsz Yau. It was a close battle all the way, with the USA pair inching ahead at the end only for the opportunity to slip their grasp.

“It was tough, he (Chan) used to be a singles player; his touch and feeling are different compared to an average mixed doubles player who’s faster in the back and simple in the front,” said Smith. “He has a tricky crosscourt and has a nice wrist, so it’s almost a different game.”

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the day was Chou Tien Chen’s tame defeat to Nhat Nguyen, 21-19 21-6. The sixth seed said he hadn’t been in the best shape, after spending some time yesterday outdoors in the sun obliging fans.

What They Said

“I couldn’t find rhythm and I felt very heavy on court. Credit to him, I didn’t get any easy points. I’ve had a great training period for the past five weeks, but maybe the rhythm was not there after six weeks of not competing.” – Lakshya Sen

“We had a few chances. It’s frustrating that we weren’t able to capitalise on it. Easy mistakes, too, so it stings a little bit now. I was able to challenge and win the front and we were able to keep the pace in the flat game, but in the crucial points we were lacking a bit.” – Jennie Gai

→Results (Day 2)