After missing the Barfoot & Thompson New Zealand Open last month, and only playing one match in the TOTAL BWF Sudirman Cup 2019 in China, the second seeds from Japan, Yuta Watanabe and Arisa Higashino, are back with a vengeance.
The pair showed no prisoners in the first round yesterday (winning 21-4 21-2) and brought the same precision and confidence to the courts on day two against Chinese Taipei’s Lee Yang and Yang Ching Tun, winning in two games 21-10 21-10
It seemed like a comfortable win for you both, can you reflect on the match?
“It was a more meaningful game than it seems from the score. The fact that we were winning from the beginning lead to the win. I think it was good that we were careful and did our best from the beginning of both games”, says Yuta Watanabe
You didn’t have much opportunity to play together at the TOTAL BWF Sudimran Cup 2019. How does it feel to finally be on court together in Australia?
“We could not compete together in the New Zealand Open last month either and at the Sudirman Cup we only got to play once. I am a bit nervous, but as Watanabe said, if we concentrate from the beginning, if we concentrate from the beginning, I think we will succeed.”, says Arisa Higashino
What do you hope to achieve in this tournament?
“We are aiming to win our first Australian Open, which we think we can do. Step by step preparation is key and we would like to enjoy playing without any injuries”, says Yuta Watanabe
The pair will face Ko Sung Hyun and Eom Hye Won in the quarter-finals tomorrow, where Watanabe will be looking to seek revenge for the early exit against Ko in the men’s doubles yesterday.
Follow all the results and draws on Tournament Software.
