On Tuesday, Europe’s top players were participating in their first matches at the DAIHATSU YONEX Japan Open 2018. Whereas most of them were losing on Day One in Tokyo, Mark Caljoux was able to win against his better ranked opponent, Wang Tzu Wei from Taiwan.
The first matches of the DAIHATSU YONEX Japan Open 2018 took place in the early European morning hours. At 3:00 AM (CET), Anders Antonsen opened the tournament with his match against Kento Momota from Japan. The result: 21-9 and 21-10 for the Japanese.
More European losers than winners
Next to Andersen, top players such as Niclas Nohr and Sara Thygesen, Brice Leverdez, Kirsty Gilmour, Hans-Kristian Solberg Vittinghus, Mia Blichfeldt as well as Mark Lamsfuss and Isabel Herttrich had to accept defeats.
Carolina Marin, Viktor Axelsen and Mark Caljoux, on the other hand, were able to win their duels. 23-year-old and 23rd world ranked Caljoux even conquered his stronger opponent on paper, Wang Tzu Wei. The Dutch player won 21-14 and 21-17 against the 18th world ranked Taiwanese.
- I am feeling good, it was a good match. To beat a top player is a great feeling. I played a solid match, kept the focus and implemented things that I discussed with my coach.
Caljoux’s next match is taking place on Thursday, his upcoming opponent will be figured out during the second match day that starts tomorrow at 10:00 AM local time. And the Dutch is optimistic:
- I am going to play while trying to do my best, and then we will see what happens. So far, my expectations for Japan are very good. The hall is big and nice, everything looks good.