"Akane Yamaguchi Dominates Japan Open 2024, He Bing Jiao's International Farewell"
Conor Hudson
Thu Aug 29 2024
Former world number 1 Akane Yamaguchi clinched the women's singles title at the Japan Open 2024, while upsetting Olympic finalist He Bing Jiao abruptly retires from the international badminton scene. The Yokohama Arena witnessed a stellar performance by the 27-year-old Japanese player, solidifying her dominance in her home country.
On Sunday at the Yokohama Arena, Japan's Akane Yamaguchi, aged 27, secured her fourth Japan Open title, surpassing legends Kento Momota and Misaki Matsutomo. The victory by the former world number 5 also continued the host nation's winning streak at the Japan Open since 2017.
"It feels amazing to win this tournament for the 4th time," Yamaguchi expressed after breezing past Thailand's Busanan Ongbamrungphan 21-11, 21-10 in just 43 minutes. "Of course, I am thrilled to be the champion, but playing in Japan and enjoying every moment until the last point is the best thing I like about this tournament."
Yamaguchi's record at her home tournament has been nearly flawless. She has lost only one out of the five finals she has competed in - against compatriot Nozomi Okuhara in 2015. Her first title two years prior, at the age of 16, also ended Japan's 32-year wait for a local champion. She now holds 80% of her nation's women's singles titles.
Facing Ongbamrungphan, Yamaguchi seized control from the outset and never appeared threatened. This was a recurring theme for the second seed - she also did not drop a game in the three previous finals. The Thai opponent paid tribute to the Japanese star, stating: "She is the greatest (women's) singles player from Japan," the 14th-ranked player, who defeated the third seed Wang Zhi Yi and sixth seed Aya Ohori en route to the final, remarked. "And I played her right here at her homecourt. She's quick and strong from the backline, making it tough to gain control of the match. But I leave with great memories."
Akane Yamaguchi's triumph at the Japan Open 2024 showcases her dominance on home soil and her ability to produce consistent performances at the highest level. While Yamaguchi shines, He Bing Jiao's unexpected farewell adds a surprising twist to the badminton narrative, leaving fans and the badminton world in anticipation of what the future holds for both players.