BWF Kumamoto Masters Japan 2023: Momota Kento squeezes into main draw
Fresh off winning his first title on the tour in two years, Japan's former world No. 1 qualifies for the first round in Kumamoto, Japan, where he will face Loh Kean Yew in an early showdown.
Badminton
Momota Kento qualified for the main draw of badminton's Kumamoto Masters Japan 2023 on Tuesday (14 November) to set up a mouth-watering first-round clash against Loh Kean Yew in the BWF Super 500 event.
“I’m being patient and moving my feet on the court,” Momota told reporters. “I’m taking the game to opponents and attacking, which is helping me play at a good rhythm.”
Momota - who won last week’s Korean Masters for his first title on the tour in two years - needed almost an hour to first get past Shesar Hiren Rhustavito 21-19, 23-21, saving two game points in the second set for the match.
The two-time world champion from Japan then made relative quick work, by his standards, to beat Nachakorn Pusri 21-13, 21-8, booking one of four qualifying spots in the men’s singles bracket starting on Wednesday.
Momota and Loh have split their two career meetings, Loh prevailing in three games at the 2021 Indonesia Open in their most recent duel.
Momota said he himself is not entirely sure what has prompted the recent roll he’s been on.
“I’m not sure,” he said. “But I’m having fun playing right now. That’s the only difference I can think of. It wasn’t easy before but now I’m enjoying it.”