Japan Open: Lanier’s Here
Alex Lanier, long touted as a future badminton star, has served notice of his arrival to the senior circuit.
· PREM KUMAR
And the 19-year-old did it in sensational fashion, taking down world No.1 Shi Yu Qi 17-21 21-16 21-18 in the semifinals of DAIHATSU Japan Open 2024 – his first Super 750 tournament – on Saturday.
Prior to stunning Shi, the world No.29 beat world No.6 Lee Zii Jia, experienced Indonesian Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo and 2022 edition-winning world No.11 Kenta Nishimoto. After acing his quarterfinal against Nishimoto, Lanier said “I’m probably playing the best badminton of my life”.
It showed; in reining Shi, the French teenager displayed the assuredness of a seasoned pro. Dropping the opener against the mighty Chinese neither daunted nor deterred Lanier.