BWF Japan Open 2024: 19-year-old Lanier stuns world No.1 to take finals spot; home star Yamaguchi into women’s final
France's Alex Lanier booked a spot in the 25 August final after a surprise victory over world No.1 Shi Yuqi, while second seed Yamaguchi has reached her career's fifth final at her home tournament.
Badminton
French badminton player Alex Lanier was not one of the athletes the home fans were cheering for at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. Two weeks after the Paris 2024 Closing Ceremony, however, he has become the talk of Paris and France thanks to his sensational run at the BWF Japan Open 2024.
The unseeded 19-year-old advanced to the final of his career's first Super 750 tournament with a stunning victory over world No.1 Shi Yuqi on Saturday (24 August).
Although the shuttler from the People's Republic of China took the first game against Lanier, the young Frenchman who is yet to make his Olympic debut came back to stun him 17-21, 21-16, 21-18.
Lanier also beat Paris 2024 bronze medallist Lee Zii Jia of Malaysia in the first round of the tournament to continue his impressive rise following a finals appearance at the Canada Open, a Super 500 tournament, in July.
He will next take on Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei, who eliminated Naraoka Kodai, the last Japanese male shuttler remaining in the Yokahama tournament. Chou prevailed in straight sets against the eighth seed to set up a showcase men's singles final on Sunday (25 August).
In the women's singles, Yamaguchi Akane ensured there will be one home finalist at the Japan Open as she advanced from her semi-final against Supanida Katethong of Thailand.
The second seed and former world No.1 continued her perfect record against Katethong, having faced off just three weeks earlier at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 in the round of 16 stage. On that occasion Yamaguchi won in straight games.
In Yokohama, Yamaguchi dominated the first game 21-14, holding her nerve on the rallies to put one foot in the final. Katethong was not going to let her opponent have it easy, however, taking the lead in the second game and looking like she could force a decider.
Nonetheless, Yamaguchi regained her momentum towards the end to win it 22-20 and qualify for the fifth Japan Open final of her career.
The Japanese star will face Busanan Ongbamrungphan, who has qualified for her first Super 750 final in Yokohama. The Thai shuttler progressed after her Chinese Taipei opponent, top seed Tai Tzu Ying, was forced to withdraw due to knee injury.
The men’s and women’s finals will take place on Sunday (25 August). The action will be streamed live on Olympic Channel via Olympics.com and the official Olympics app (territorial restrictions may apply).