PETALING JAYA: Shuttler Yushi Tanaka is turning out to be a late bloomer for Japan as he continues to make his mark in the men's singles event.
On Sunday (March 15), the 26-year-old defeated Alwi Farhan of Indonesia 21-18, 21-12 in the Swiss Open final in Basel to capture his first individual title since 2024.
Yushi has been playing for Japan at the international level for the last six year and the highlight was in 2024 when he won the Orleans Masters and the US Open.
He has been training under former two-time world champion Kento Momota and Sho Sasaki and the results are showing.
This year, he also did well in Asia Team Championships when he delivered the first point by beating Hu Zhean, which eventually led to Japan beating China 3-0 to lift their first Asia team title.
Ranked third in his country at the 20th position behind Kodai Naraoka (world No. 9) and Kenta Nishimoto (15), he is set to be a strong third singles player for Japan in the Thomas Cup Finals in Horsens, Denmark, from April 24-May 3.
But first, he will be to win his second Orleans Masters and will open his campaign against Moh Zaki of Indonesia in the first round.
RESULTS
Men’s singles: Yushi Tanaka (Jpn) bt Alwi Farhan (Ina) 21-18, 21-12.
Men’s doubles: Lee Fang-chih-Lee Fang-jen (Tpe) bt Daniel Lundgaard-Mads Vestergaard (Den) 21-18, 21-13.
Women’s singles: Supanida Katethong (Tha) bt Putri Kusuma (Ina) 21-11, 21-15.
Women’s doubles: Li Yijing-Wang Yiduo (Chn) bt Jia Yifan-Zhang Shuxian (Chn) 21-10, 22-20.
