Singapore Open: Flat and Furious
Yuichi Shimogami and Sayaka Hobara will contest the biggest match of their partnership when they step onto court for the KFF Singapore Open 2026 semifinals today.
· PREM KUMAR
The Japanese duo booked their last four place after producing arguably the most thrilling match of the quarterfinals – a 21-19 21-23 21-16 upset over the second-seeded defending champions Dechapol Puavaranukroh/Supissara Paewsampran. It was their first victory over the Thai pair after two previous defeats.
The drama heightened in the second game when Shimogami/Hobara held match point at 21-20, only to see the opportunity slip. Lesser pairs might have unravelled after surrendering that way but the world No.18s regrouped impressively to dominate the decider and seal victory in 69 pulsating minutes.
Shimogami/Hobara became a permanent fixture on the HSBC BWF World Tour only last year. Their run in Singapore already guarantees the best finish of their partnership, eclipsing last season’s Taipei Open semifinal at Super 300 level.