Mainland’s Feng Yanzhe, Huang Dongping beat Hong Kong pair to win first Japan Open title
‘Phoenix combination’ edge Tang Chun-man and Tse Ying-suet to clinch mixed doubles crown and are now ranked second in Super 750 matches won
Chinese pair Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping defeated Hong Kong counterparts Jordan Tang Chun-man and Tse Ying-suet 2-1 in the mixed doubles final on Sunday to win their first Japan Open title.
As finals day got under way at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium across five categories, China had two titles to shoot for, in the mixed and women’s doubles.
The duo of Feng and Huang, known as the “Phoenix combination”, won the opening match of the day, beating Tang and Tse 21-14, 14-21, 21-15.
With five consecutive wins in this tournament, the champion pair increased their total victories in Super 750 events to 58. This saw them surpass Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai (56 wins), Yuta Watanabe and Arisa Higashino (57 wins), and Tang and Tse (57 wins) to rank second in terms of wins in mixed-doubles history, behind China’s legendary pair of Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong, who had 84 wins.
Speaking after the match, the Chinese champions noted that committing fewer errors during the intense battle had given them a psychological edge.
“I think both sides played exceptionally well today, actually,” said Huang, adding that their Hong Kong opponents had caused them significant difficulties “because they [Tang and Tse] are very experienced, and the rhythm on the court changes a lot”.