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21:06, 24-Sep-2017
Chinese duo claim mixed doubles title at Japan Open badminton tournament
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Chinese pair Wang Yilv and Huang Dongping claimed their first Badminton World Federation (BWF) Super Series title after defeating Japan's Takuro Hoki and Sayaka Hirota at the Japan Open final in Tokyo on Sunday.
The young pair, born in 1994 and 1995 respectively, beat their Japanese opponents in straight sets in 33 minutes. The scores were 21-13, 21-8.
"Our goal for the future is to surpass the best doubles players in the world. For now, we will do our best at every step," said Wang after the game.
"Just focus on the process, and we will have good results," Huang added.
In the women's singles, China's defending champion He Bingjiao lost 2-0 to Rio Olympics gold medalist Carolina Marin.
The two had a see-saw game in the first set, with He Bingjiao getting the set point first but only to be surpassed by Marin 23-21.
He Bingjiao lagged behind in the second set 18-4. She managed to narrow the gap to 19-12, but lost to Marin 21-12.
"Compared to the best players in the world, I still lack in the faith that I must win," He said after the game.
In another game on Sunday, Malaysia's super-star Lee Chong Wei was beaten by Denmark's world champion Viktor Axelsen 14-21, 21-19, 14-21.
Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei in action. /Photo via http://bwfworldsuperseries.com
Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei in action. /Photo via http://bwfworldsuperseries.com
It was the tenth BWF match between the two and the first time that Lee was defeated by Axelsen.
"Compared to the past, Viktor played more confidently and more stably today," said Lee after the game.
Axelsen said that he was disappointed after losing the second set, but recovered and won the third set. "I'm really happy and proud for getting rid of the disappointment and winning the game," he said.
Also on Sunday, Japan's world No. 1 pair of Misaki Matsutomo and Ayaka Takahashi claimed their second Japan Open women's doubles title after defeating South Korea's Kim Ha-na and Kong Hee-yong.
Indonesia's Marcus Fernaldi Gideon and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo eased past Japan's Takuto Inoue and Yuki Kaneko to claim the men's doubles title.
The 2017 Japan Open took place at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium from September 19-24 with a total purse of 325,000 US dollars.
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Source(s): Xinhua News Agency