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Stephy Zhang

Chinese pair Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping defeated Hong Kong counterparts Jordan Tang Chun-man and Tse Ying-suet 2-1 in the mixed doubles final on Sunday to win their first Japan Open title.
As finals day got under way at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium across five categories, China had two titles to shoot for, in the mixed and women’s doubles.
The duo of Feng and Huang, known as the “Phoenix combination”, won the opening match of the day, beating Tang and Tse 21-14, 14-21, 21-15.
With five consecutive wins in this tournament, the champion pair increased their total victories in Super 750 events to 58. This saw them surpass Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai (56 wins), Yuta Watanabe and Arisa Higashino (57 wins), and Tang and Tse (57 wins) to rank second in terms of wins in mixed-doubles history, behind China’s legendary pair of Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong, who had 84 wins.
Speaking after the match, the Chinese champions noted that committing fewer errors during the intense battle had given them a psychological edge.

“I think both sides played exceptionally well today, actually,” said Huang, adding that their Hong Kong opponents had caused them significant difficulties “because they [Tang and Tse] are very experienced, and the rhythm on the court changes a lot”.
“Also, when they encounter even a little trouble, they can immediately change tactics; their on-court adjustments were very fast.”
Feng admitted that the match was highly intense from the start, with everyone deeply focused.
“So towards the end, we just focused on our own game and tried our best to avoid errors,” he said. “At that critical juncture, whoever made fewer mistakes would gain the upper hand, because it was not just a lead in the score, but it probably also gave some advantage psychologically.”
Huang also said their form and performances in the first half of the year had not been particularly good, and this title would provide a timely boost.
“I think this championship is definitely an affirmation of our recent performances, providing a psychological cushion. At least in the future, when we encounter the same problems or difficulties, we won’t have too much self-doubt or lose heart too quickly,” she said.
The “Phoenix combination” started strongly, dominating the serve and return sequences. Their continuous backcourt attacks repeatedly pierced the opponents’ defence, allowing them to take the game 21-14.
The Hong Kong pair adjusted their tactics quickly in the second game, disrupting China’s attacking rhythm with continuous pressure at the net. Feng and Huang were forced onto the defensive to chase points, eventually dropping the game 14-21 to level the match at 1-1.
Feng and Huang steadied themselves in the deciding game. Displaying seamless chemistry, they maintained the upper hand during long rallies and denied their opponents any chance of a sustained comeback, ultimately sealing the victory 21-15.
This marks the third World Tour trophy of the season for the pair, following titles at the Malaysia Open and Australian Open, extending their strong and stable recent form.
Chinese women’s doubles pair Jia Yifan and Zhang Shuxian will feature in the fourth match later in the day.
In the day’s second match, Indian star Pusarla Venkata Sindhu ended a title drought of almost two years when she beat Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi 21-17, 21-17 in Tokyo to win the competition for the first time.
Sindhu, a world champion in 2019 and Olympic silver medallist in 2016, said winning her first title since she won at the Syed Modi India International in Lucknow in 2024 would give her “a lot of confidence”.

Sindhu has set her sights on a medal on home soil when New Delhi hosts the world championships next month, and she said her win in Japan would boost her chances.
“This one was very important because playing in finals is one thing, but winning and getting that gold is a different thing altogether,” the 31-year-old said.
“I’m happy that I’m on the positive side. This gives me a lot of confidence.”
Sindhu was playing in her first final since winning in Lucknow, after losing in the semi-finals twice on badminton’s world tour this year. She is ranked 10th in the world.


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‘Phoenix combination’ edge Tang Chun-man and Tse Ying-suet to clinch mixed doubles crown and are now ranked second in Super 750 matches won


‘Phoenix combination’ edge Tang Chun-man and Tse Ying-suet to clinch mixed doubles crown and are now ranked second in Super 750 matches won.


Mainland’s Feng Yanzhe, Huang Dongping beat Hong Kong pair to win first Japan Open title

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}‘Phoenix combination’ edge Tang Chun-man and Tse Ying-suet to clinch mixed doubles crown and are now ranked second in Super 750 matches won

‘Phoenix combination’ edge Tang Chun-man and Tse Ying-suet to clinch mixed doubles crown and are now ranked second in Super 750 matches won