DX - FINALS : after the Denmark Open, WATANABE and HIGASHINO take the French Open

Incredible performance during the whole week from Yuta WATANABE and Arisa HIGASHINO (world no 5, Japan). The Japanese players did not loose a single set to offer themselves a splendid Super 750 title. This is the second title in two week in such a big competition for the number 3 seed, after the one won in Denmark last week.

It was a huge challenge for Mathias CHRISTIANSEN and Alexandra BOJE (world no 16, Denmark). The Danes were facing the best mixed double pair at the moment : Yuta WATANABE and Arisa HIGASHINO (world no 5, Japan). The Japanese are almost unbeatable this year, they only lost a single match and it was against the Olympic champions  Wang Yilyu and Huang Dongping. In the semifinals they beat the number one seed, the Thai Dechapol PUAVARANUKROH and Sapsiree TAERATTANACHAI. On their side, the best mixed double team in Denmark overperformed to kick out TANG Chun Man and TSE Ying Suet.

The Japanese were flying over the court

The two pairs faced each other 3 times and it is a 3/0 for the Tokyo bronze medalist. The first set contained no surprise since the Japanese took very quickly the control of the court pushing their challengers to commit several mistakes. In fact, both Mathias and Alexandra sent the shuttle behind the back line on their smashes. Thus, the Denmark Open winners were leading 11/6 at the interval. They did an amazing end of the set and their “underdog” opponents only scored two more points : 21/8 !

The second set began just like the first did, the Danes were never ahead at the scoreboard. The pressure put by WATANABE and HIGASHINO was so high : 19/12, only 2 points left to reach the throne. Despite the fact that the world number 16 scored some beautiful points, it was too late and the title went to one of the best mixed double team at the moment.

Right after the ceremony, HIGASHINO and WATANABE stopped by to tell us : “We are so happy about the win. But we have to focus on the many tournaments that are coming. We do not think that we are the best team in the world. There are plenty of other pairs better than us. Even the one we beat here, we are not even sure to be able to beat them again.”.

Their next appointment will be in three weeks for the DAIHATSU Indonesia Masters 2021. Until then they will have some days to recover to pursue their magnificent journey to the victory.