WOMEN’S DOUBLES
Yuki Fukushima/Sayaka Hirota (JPN)[2] bt Chen Qingchen/Jia Yifan (CHN)[3] 21-10 21-16
The score did not reflect the incredible quality of the match, with some rallies falling just shy of two minutes long. Both pairs got off to a great start with only two points separating them throughout the first half of the opening game. But once the Japanese returned from the break at 11-8, they charged ahead winning eight consecutive points which lead them to the take the first game.
While the second game remained close throughout, the Japanese second seeds were visibly maintain the strongest strategy with an unbreakable defence and ruthless attack to win in two straight games.
MEN’S DOUBLES
Ko Sung Hyun/Shin Baek Cheol (KOR) bt Takeshi Kamura/Keigo Sonoda (JPN)[1] 21-11 21-17
Korea’s Ko Sung Hyun and Shin Baek Cheol have embraced the underdog status and have performed far beyond their current world ranking (34) all week as they brushed past four top seeds on route to the podium. This afternoon, the pair opened with a relentless attack and were reluctant to give anything away at the net. After breaking away at 6-5 in the first end, the pair were always ahead by four points and were fast to capitalise on the win.
The Japanese first seeds were clearly making an effort to regain control of the attack but the Korean’s were riding the wave of momentum and after losing the opening point, quickly turned it around and lead throughout the whole match to seize victory in two games.
WOMEN’S SINGLES
Chen Yufei (CHN)[2] beat Nozomi Okuhara (JPN)[1] 21-15, 21-3
The Australian final pitted reigning and 2016 All England champions against one another with the latter coming off second best in a one-way traffic match. Both women’s weapons of choice were superb cross-court shots which won those points outright and caused spectators to gasp as a result. Chen Yufei’s was an excellent smash which won points more often that Nozomi Okuhara’s reverse slice drop-shot.
Despite being healthy and moving well, Okuhara ran out of ideas and in her desperation to rescue the second game ended up spraying clears long and smashes wide of the lines.
MEN’S SINGLES
Jonatan Christie (INA)[3] beat Anthony Ginting (INA)[2] 21-17, 13-21, 21-14
As he’d exacted against Lin Dan, the deciding factor in the all-Indonesian final was Jonatan Christie’s extra bursts of power when it counted in closing moments.
There were flashes of brilliance from both players. Anthony Ginting gave a master class in jump smashes. His inaccuracy was impeccable in securing the second game. As usual too, Ginting was king of the hairpin net battles because he continually dared to return one more net shot than his opponent.
Seemingly drawing on Chen Long for inspiration, Christie was clearly patient, focused, and disciplined in his approach to every point. It meant that the moment his opponent was less hot, he was able to capitalise once more.
MIXED DOUBLES
Wang Yilyu/Huang Dongping (CHN)[1] bt Praveen Jordan/Melati Daeva Oktavianti (INA)[6] 21-15 21-8
The overwhelming favourites from China haven’t dropped a single game this week. The pair continued their fine form and opened with an exhilarating game against the seventh seed Indonesian’s Praveen Jordan and Melati Daeva Oktavianti. The Chinese gradually seized control with two runs of consecutive points which surged them into the lead.
After taking the first game, the Chinese turned it all the way up to 11, leaving the Indonesian pair baffled and itching for the answers. Even when Yilyu and Dongping were both diving across the floor, it seemed that nothing could stop the pair. From 6-5 in the second end, the Chinese pair dominated 15 of the next 18 points and seized their second HSBC BWF World Tour title this year.
Find out all the statistics and results from the Crown Group Australian Badminton Open 2019 on Tournament Software.
