Mixed Doubles has some interesting games with the potential for some serious upsets. Even at the group stages. At least three out of the four groups look very competitive so players will need to get out of the gates early and stamp their authority on their matches, So here are my Tokyo Olympics badminton prediction for mixed doubles.
Group Stages – Mixed Doubles
Group A
Predicted Winners: Zheng Si Wei/Huang Ya Qiong
Predicted Second Place: Seo Seungjae/Chae Yujung
The number one seeds are very likely to top their group in the opening stages of the tournament. They are certainly favourites for a gold medal and it would be a major upset if they came away without a medal at all. Joining them in second place, I predict the Koreans, who are certainly the second strongest in that group, to join them in the knock out stages.
Group B
Predicted Winners: D. Puavaranukroh/S.Taerattanachai
Predicted Second Place: Marcus Ellis/Lauren Smith
The Thai players had an amazing time in their home country at the start of the year, winning three straight tournaments. However, we have to remember, in the absence of the strongest mixed pairs at those tournaments, this is not an absolute standard to measure performance by. Nonetheless, this Thai pair is certainly talented, fast and able to compete with the best.
I expect the British to take the second qualifying spot for the knockouts. Marcus and Lauren are a strong pair but I’m not sure they are yet able to beat the best in the world just yet, But they’ll certainly give it their all! In addition the French pair of Gicquel/Delrue are dark horses to watch at the group stage here. They could very well pinch second place from the British.
Group C
Predicted Winners: Praveen Jordan/Melati Oktavianti
Predicted Second Place: Y. Watanabe/A. Higashino
Praveen Jordan is a veteran of the mixed doubles. Well known for his powerful smash, his partnership with Oktivianti has grown from strength to strength. They will be wary of the Japanese pairing of Watanabe and Higashino in their group who pose the biggest threat at the early stages. The Danish, who have significantly less experience are fast improving, but might not quite meet up to the standard of the top two pairs just yet.
Group D
Predicted Winners: Wang Yi Lyu/Huang Dong Ping
Predicted Second Place: Tang Chun Man/Tse Ying Suet
Group D is perhaps the most competitive of all, featuring the Olympic silver medalists from Rio, the second-ranked Chinese pair and the Hong Kong pair of Tan/Suet. Wang/Huang are my favourites to win this group, being the strongest pair and also one of the most consistent.
Following them through I believe will be Tang/Suet. We haven’t heard much from them recently but they have a very strong win-loss ratio against the Malaysians. I feel the Malaysians are a little past their prime and lack fitness and mental strength. This was obvious to me in this year All England where they had a significant lead and then lost it very quickly through errors.
But the Hong Kong players have not had tournament practice for a significant period due to covid, so this could be an interesting group to watch.
Tokyo Olympics 2020 Badminton Prediction For Mixed Doubles – Medalists
Gold: Zheng Si Wei/Huang Ya Qiong
I was in two minds about who would win gold in the mixed doubles. But in the end I have to give it to the top-ranked Chinese players. They absolutely dominated the circuit before covid and with Zheng like a rocket in the rear court and Huangs great technical skills at the net, they’re just a step above as a partnership. They play mixed doubles one way, which is fast. And they’re the best at it making them a very dangerous pair and potential gold medalists.
Silver: Praveen Jordan/Melati Oktavianti
Second place was much harder to justify. because the matches are very even in the first knockout stages, no matter who gets who. But I think the experience of Praveen Jordan aided by his partner in setting up his powerful attacking play could help them through to the finals. Oktavianti will need to control her nerves perhaps a little more than her partner due to the nature of the female role in mixed doubles – but at their best, they can beat anyone.
Bronze: Yuta Watanabe/Arisa Higashino
In Bronze position, I have my favourite mixed pair of Watanabe and Higashino. They are a creative partnership – both players are super fast on their feet. Watanabe playing elegant drops and his partner playing jump smashes and kills at the net with ease. However, they are not the most consistent pair and this might damage higher medal prospects. The bronze medal is really hard to call. I expect it to be between the Chinese pair of Huang/Wang to potentially be their opponents at this stage should the tournament play out as i predict. But this one could go either way.
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