Japanese shuttlers clinch three titles in the Australian Open Grand Prix Gold 2011
Japan’s shuttlers made their presence felt to the top Badminton nations by winning three out of five titles in the Australian Open Grand Prix Gold 2011, in Melbourne, Australia on Monday 11 April.
In the Men’s Singles category, Japan’s Sho Sasaki proved his worth by beating the World Number 24 and eighth seed of the event, Wong Choong Hann of Malaysia.
In the Men’s doubles category, Hiroyuki Endo – Kenichi Hayakawa defeated the team-mates Naoki Kawamae – Shoji Sato, whereas Shizuka Matsuo – Mami Naito of Japan proved their supremacy in the game by beating Eei h*i Chin – Pei Tty Wong of Malaysia in the
final of the Women’s Doubles.
The Men’s Singles match was absolutely thrilling as both shuttlers played a top-class game before the cheering crowd in the indoor arena in Melbourne. Sasaki had to work hard to beat the senior opponent, Choong Hann, in a three-set match that took 58 minutes
of hard fighting from both sides. However, the 34-year-old Malaysian has qualified for the mega event of the World Badminton Championships 2011, which will be starting in August at London.
In the category of the Men’s Doubles, Japan has improved a lot in the last few years and as a result of which both Japanese pairs were fighting for the title in the final of the Australian Open. The more experienced pair of Hiroyuki – Kenichi consumed only
39 minutes to beat the compatriots Naoki – Shoji in a straight set fight without facing any considerable resistance. It was a completely one-sided match that earned Hiroyuki – Kenichi the first Grand Prix Gold title in the preceding year.
Shizuka – Mami showed no mercy to the experience opponents from Malaysia in the final showdown of the Women’s Doubles. The Japanese pair spared no chance for the Malaysian pair of h*i Chin – Pei Tty to put up a strong resistance. Shizuka – Mami won the match
in straight sets by spending only 43 minutes on the court. The Japanese duo is determined to maintain their convincing performance in the forthcoming event of Asian Badminton Championships 2011, which will start 19 April in China.
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