Malaysia Open: ‘Not Three Hours, Please’
Through to his first Super 1000 final and fast becoming a badminton soldier, Kodai Naraoka laughed off suggestions a lengthy men's singles final is on the cards after clinching a one hour 53-minute slugfest against…
· DIANNE PIERRE
Through to his first Super 1000 final and fast becoming a badminton soldier, Kodai Naraoka laughed off suggestions a lengthy men's singles final is on the cards after clinching a one hour 53-minute slugfest against Kunlavut Vitidsarn 21-17 19-21 21-17 at PETRONAS Malaysia Open 2023.
“No, absolutely not three hours, please. Haha (sic),” jested the 21-year-old post-his marathon semifinal.
After playing the longest match of the day, it was a wonder he could still stand up and entertain interview requests. All his matches this week have gone to a deciding game and past the hour mark, testing the Japanese shuttler’s endurance.