RUSSIAN OPEN 2014 Finals – Japanese dominate almost all

142 players from 14 countries vied for a share of the US$50,000 prize money at the 2014 Russian Open Grand Prix, staged in Vladivostok. Japan took four of the five titles, with local hero Vladimir Ivanov being the only exception.

By Olga Morozova, Badzine Special Correspondent live in Vladivostok. Photos: Aleksander Bagdatyev (live)

Vladivostok’s spectators were treated to one title staying on home soil when top seeded Vladimir Ivanov (pictured left) remained undefeated for another year in the men’s singles. The Russian faced off with Japan’s Riichi Takeshita and played with added aggression after losing the first game, winning 18-21, 21-5, 21-17.

In the women’s singles draw, all three top Russian seeds had surrendered to Japanese players as only unseeded local Ksenia Polikarpova provided any resistance during the week.

Japan’s Aya Ohori displayed consistently solid performances all week. Her most difficult match was a 68-minute semi-final against compatriot Nozomi Okuhara. 17 year old Ohori (pictured right) carried this form to beat another teammate, Shizuka Uchida in straight games in the final to retain her title, 21-19, 21-4.

“It’s my second time in Vladivostok and I really like this place because of the sea”, said young but mature Ohori. “Really happy with my result, I showed a good performance all tournament. Now I will prepare for the Vietnam Grand Prix”.

A heavy disappointment for Russian fans of badminton came as home doubles favourites and top seeded defending champions Vladimir Ivanov / Ivan Sozonov were defeated at the semi finals stage. They lost in three games to this year’s winners Kenta Kazuno / Kazushi Yamada, 15-21, 21-19, 16-21.

The other finalists, Takuto Inoue / Yuki Kaneko took a harder route. As earlier in the tournament Russians Yartsev/Kargaev and Khakimov/ Kuznetsov played some tight games.

In the final, the younger Japanese pair of Inoue / Kaneko snatched the first game and managed to earn two match points in the second, but failed to finish proceedings. The more experienced Kazuno / Yamada confidently won the deciding game,19-21, 22-20, 21-13.

In the women doubles, first place went to Yuriko Miki / Koharu Yonemoto. After beating top seeded Stoeva sisters in three games, they became more confident for the following rounds. Miki / Yonemoto were too good for Mayu Matsumoto / Wakana Nagahara in the final, 21-19, 21-7.

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