January 2021 saw the return of elite international competition and boy did we miss it. It was a welcome reminder to me how much I love the sport and not being able to play myself at the moment, this relieved some of the withdrawal symptoms! So here’s a Badminton Round-up of January 2021.
Thai Tournament Success
Of course, any Badminton round-Up of January 2021 should be centred around the recent tournaments! Thailand took centre stage for the last three weeks of badminton action. Noticeably, China and Japan did not participate due to the effects of Covid, but that didn’t seem to diminish the quality on show. It also paved the way for some players to make a name for themselves on the big stage!
First, we saw the Yonex Thailand Open in which all eyes would be on home favourites Ratchanok Intanon and Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai. With both being seeded in the tournament – there were high hopes for both. But it would be number one seeds Puavaranukroh and Taerattanachai in the mixed doubles that would bring celebrations to the country. And it would only be a week later that they would secure a second victory in the Toyota Thailand Open.
It was a similar story across many of the winners of the Yonex Thailand Open. Viktor Axelsen seemed to be unstoppable in the two consecutive tournaments, being absolutely dominant in the men’s singles discipline. One wonders now if he has the form to really take on Kento Momota. It’s an exciting prospect – perhaps the new Lin Dan, LCW rivalry.
Women’s singles showed a return to form Carolina Marin with two first-place finishes in Thailand over world number one Tai Tzu Ying in both finals. Chinese Taipei’s Men’s doubles pair Wang and Yang showcased their skills, also being double winners in Thailand. In fact, it was only in the women’s doubles that there were different winners in Polii/Rahayu during the Yonex open and Kim/Kong in the Toyota edition.
World Tour Finals
The crescendo of the badminton world is usually the World Tour finals at the end of the season. But with so many higher-ranked absentee’s, there were many fresh faces we saw that otherwise may not have made an appearance.
Men’s Singles
Viktor Axelsen was eyeing up a third title in Thailand as well. And given his recent form, it seemed like he would have no problems. However, unlike the previous finals, he would now face someone who knows him very well – fellow Dane Anders Antonsen.
Antonsen played some brilliant badminton in the first game and did something that many have failed to do in Thailand – actually win it. However, the second game was a different story, with Viktor taking the game 21-5 as a result of some contentious tactics from Antonsen.
These tactics seemed to have rattled Axelsen a little, who became more visibly frustrated as the match went on. The speed with which Axelsen has been playing the previous weeks didn’t seem quite there, in part to Antonsen being able to neutralise Axelsen, knowing his compatriot so well.
In the end Antonsen claimed the title, winning the third 21-17.
Men’s Doubles
Perhaps surprisingly, Ben Lane and Sean Vendy of England found themselves in the semi-finals against Wang and Yang. And it was a very close game, with the Chinese Taipei players just pipping them at the post in the first game and following up a close second game with a 21-17 victory. This made it 3/3 final spots in Thailand for the Chinese Taipei pair.
In the Yonex Thailand Open, they faced the Malaysian pair of Goh V Shem and Tan Wee Kiong. In the Toyota Thailand open they faced another Malaysian pair Chia/Yik. Neither of them were able to stop Wang and Yang’s dominance in Thailand. However, in the World Tour Finals, they would face the Daddies of Indonesia Ahsan/Setiawan.
But, Yang/Wang’s blistering speed was just too much for the daddies initially. In the first game, the daddies had a slow start – being 11-4 down at the mid-game interval. Perhaps something to do with the slight injury Ahsan picked up in the earlier tournament. However, their chemistry showed through in the second half of the game – drawing level. But it would be Yang and Wang that take the first game 21-17.
In the second game – it was much more competitive. Even the usually quiet Setiawan was audibly smashing! And of course, there was lots of drama as the second game drew to a close. Yang and Wang were initially given a reprieve when hawkeye proved Setiawans game-winning point was actually long. Some insane rallies followed, with Yang and Wang on match point, Ahsan provided an awesome interception to maintain parity. However, on their second match point, the Chinese Taipei pair converted to claim their third title in Thailand and likely their most coveted of the month.
Women’s Singles
Meanwhile, in the women’s singles Pornpawee Chochuwong, who was drawn into a very tough group, created a giant killer persona. In the group stages, she took down Tai Tzu Ying in two straight games and compatriot Ratchanok Intanon. Her only loss in the group stage came against World Champion PV Sindu. However, her advance was halted when she met inform Spaniard Carolina Marin. Tai Tzu Ying, who defeated the young Korean An Se-young, ensured a third consecutive final – a replica of the previous two weeks tournaments.
Tai Tzu Ying had a point to prove, having lost the last two finals to Carolina Marin. And it looked like history would repeat in the first game, with Carolina taking it 21-14 – again using her speed to outperform Tai. But then the tables turned. Tai Tzu Ying took the second game 21-8, playing a faster, more aggressive game. She was particularly aggressive around the net, taking control of a key area of the court.
The third game was a delight to watch with both players playing amazing badminton. Carolina Marin looked to have the advantage of being 16-12 up in the second half of the game. However, Tai was able to draw level controlling the rallies really well to force winning opportunities. She eventually won the game with a perfect length shot to the back of the court, with Marin speculating it would land out. This was an important win for Tai mentally after her previous loses to the fiery Spaniard, and she will be happy to return to the top spot on the podium.
Women’s Doubles
The women’s doubles would be another all Korean affair – showing their dominance in the discipline. With 4 pairs in the top ten in the world rankings, you would be hard-pressed to bet against them to be in any finals.
In a repeat of last week’s final Kim/Kong took on Lee/Shin. And once again, as you’d expect from two pairs that know each other so well, it was a very close game. It was last week’s champions Kim/Kong who took advantage in the first game.
And in the second game, it looked imminent that it would be Kim/Kong that would take the crown yet again with 3 Championship points. But it would be the persistence of Lee and Shin that would see them save 6 match points and take the game 26-24.
The third game was a similar story, however, it was clear the intensity of the second game was causing some unforced errors to creep into both pairs games. But it was Lee and Shin who would gain the first match point opportunity. One which they took very calmly with a delicate block at the net to secure their victory.
Mixed Doubles
In mixed doubles, it was French pair Gicqel and Delrue flying the flag for Europe in the semis. I love watching these guys play. There’s still room for improvement in their game, but their tactics really help them to take on the more powerful Asian countries which is a delight to watch. Unfortunately, they didn’t progress to the finals – halted by in form Puavaranukroh and Taerattanachai.
In yet another repeat of last weeks final, the Thai duo took on the Koreans Seo/Chae. The first game was fast and furious with the Thai pair leading most of the time, but the Koreans soon caught up but had left it a little too late.
The second game was a much more one-sided affair with the Koreans completely dominant. The Thai pair seemed out of sorts a little bit but the assertive aggressive play from Seo/Chae was sending a clear message that they wanted that title. 21-8 was the final score int he second game in favour of the Koreans.
However, in a rather topsy-turvy event, it was the Thai pair who were completely dominant in the third game. There was no area of the court they had left uncovered, completely commanding the rallies. The Thai audience (who I assume were the staff of the venue) were clearly behind their superstars and it was obvious they were responding. Claiming the game 21-8, and making it a third title in Thailand.
In Other Badminton News
With this months tournaments taking over all the headlines – here’s some other news from badminton world!
Mathias Boe Joins The Indian Coaching Team
The former Danish player has taken up a coaching position heading the national doubles team. He will bring of him a wealth of experience as an Olympic Gold medalist, former world number one, World Championship silver medalist and European champion.
His goals with the upcoming Tokyo Olympics is to bolster the strength of the existing squad. Rankireddy, who made the request with his partner Shetty, said of the news: “We were confident when we played our second tournament in Bangkok. We are fit and we have the fire in us but we need to do much better mentally. Boe’s appointment will help us win tight matches.”
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