We’re in good hands: Japan’s mixed doubles pair Yuta Watanabe (right) and Arisa Higashino celebrate after beating South Korea’s Kim Won-ho-Jeong Na-eun in the final. — Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: One Malaysian stood tall as the curtain came down on the home tournament and it’s none other than Jeremy Gan.
Jeremy was brimming with pride as world No. 2 mixed doubles pair Yuta Watanabe-Arisa Higashino of Japan overcame their nemeses and world No. 7 Kim Won-ho-Jeong Na-eun in style by pulling off a 21-18, 21-15 win in the final at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
Japan had won all titles in the Malaysian Open except the mixed doubles since 1937 and yesterday, Watanabe-Higashino ended that long wait.
It was also their first win against the Koreans in four meetings.
Higashino attributed their achievement to their Malaysian coach Jeremy, who gave his best to guide and develop them into good players. Jeremy has been their coach since he moved to Japan in 2018.
“We are very happy to create history as the first Japanese pair to clinch the mixed doubles title here,” said Higashino.
“He (Jeremy) always tries his best to communicate with us and identifies the important aspects that need improvement ... That is how we managed to win the title.”
Watanabe could not hide his excitement too and promised to keep it going.
Malaysian coach Jeremy Gan, whom Higashino attributed their achievement to. — Bernama
“It was a good start for us but we will have more tournaments coming up,” said Watanabe.
“We will try our best and focus on every match from time to time after this.”
Meanwhile, women’s singles shuttler An Se-young continues to ride high with her dominance in the World Tour when she became the first South Korean to win the women’s singles title here yesterday.
She defeated four-time champion Tai Tzu-ying of Taiwan 10-21, 21-10, 21-18 in a nail-biting final.
It was a superb comeback from Se-young, who is slowly picking up pace following a right injury just after winning the gold medal at the Asian Games in Hangzhou in October.
She tried to raise her form when she returned at the World Tour Finals last month but lost to Tzu-ying in the semi-finals.
Se-young was overjoyed to exact revenge against Tzu-ying but refused to be carried away.
“I’m happy to become the first women’s singles champion for (South) Korea and it is a good start for the year,” said the reigning world champion, who will be turning 22 next month.
“My knee has bothered me the most and the recovery will be my main focus for the time being.
“I am grateful that I’m being seen as one of the favourites to win the gold medal in the Olympics, but it is difficult to put high expectations so I just want to focus on myself.”
