** Watanabe/Higashino's Stunning Upset in Olympic Badminton Quarterfinals**
Conor Hudson
Fri Aug 02 2024
Yuta Watanabe and Arisa Higashino delivered a jaw-dropping performance as they clinched a remarkable victory over Dechapol Puavaranukroh/Sapsiree Taerattanachai in the mixed doubles quarterfinals of the Paris 2024 Olympics. The Japanese duo's resilience and skill turned the tables on their Thai opponents in a thrilling match.
The Thai pair started strong, leading by a considerable margin, reaching 11-2 and maintaining a 19-15 advantage towards the end of the first game. However, Watanabe and Higashino refused to give up. Despite falling behind in the initial game, the Thai players unexpectedly faltered, leading to a 23-21, 21-14 victory for the Japanese duo.
"I am very happy, but I want more," expressed Watanabe. "Three years ago (at the Olympics), we lost in the semifinals, so we want to do better." The fourth-seeded pair will face the top-seeded duo of Zheng Si Wei/Huang Ya Qiong from China, who are inching closer to the only major title missing from their collection.
Zheng/Huang triumphed over their compatriots Feng Yan Zhe/Huang Dong Ping with scores of 21-16, 21-15. "This quarterfinal was like a final," Zheng remarked. "In the most recent Olympics, we lost to Dong Ping, and she knows how to play in the Olympics, so we prepared a lot. We knew today would be a tough match, so we are thrilled with the victory."
In the lower half of the mixed doubles bracket, reigning world champions Seo Seung Jae/Chae Yu Jung easily defeated Tang Chun Man/Tse Ying Suet and are set to face fellow Koreans Kim Won Ho/Jeong Na Eun, who dashed Malaysia's hopes by triumphing 21-19, 21-14 against Chen Tang Jie/Toh Ee Wei.
The Paris 2024 badminton quarterfinals showcased intense battles and unexpected outcomes, with Watanabe/Higashino's extraordinary comeback standing out as a highlight. As the competition intensifies, the stage is set for thrilling matchups as the quest for Olympic glory continues.