Japan Jolted – Day 3: Fuzhou China Open 2018
Two of Japan’s stellar doubles partnerships suffered shock losses in today’s second round of the Fuzhou China Open 2018 to senior pairs seeking to find their way back to the top.
· GAYLE ALLEYNE
First came the defeat of Women’s Doubles top seeds, Yuki Fukushima/Sayaka Hirota, at the hands of Chang Ye Na/Jung Kyung Eun (featured image); falling tamely 21-13 21-11 in 37 minutes. The experienced Koreans – paired late last season after partnering younger players – never gave their rivals a chance, leading both games from start to finish at Haixia Olympic Sports Center.
Japan – the nation that has dominated Women’s Doubles this year – also lost No.6 seeds Shiho Tanaka/Koharu Yonemoto as well as Naoko Fukuman/Kurumi Yonao – as fate would have it to Korean opposition also. Seventh-seeded Lee So Hee/Shin Seung Chan put paid to Fukuman/Yonao’s aspirations (21-16 21-12) while Baek Ha Na/Kim Hye Rin took care of business against Tanaka/Yonemoto (21-15 21-13). A fourth Korean duo, Chae Yujung/Kim So Yeong, ousted China's No.3 seeds Chen Qingchen/Jia Yifan (21-9 21-18).
Despite the demise of three women’s tandems, Japan’s hopes will still be high as Olympic champions, Misaki Matsutomo/Ayaka Takahashi, and World champions, Mayu Matsumoto/Wakana Nagahara, advanced to tomorrow’s quarter-finals. The latter will have the opportunity to avenge their team-mates’ loss when they face Chang/Jung for a semi-final place.