The final matches in the quarterfinals of this year’s Japan Masters have concluded, and we now know all the semifinalists. Today, there were four opportunities for European players to advance to the semifinals.
French mixed doubles advance to the semifinals
The French mixed doubles pair Thom Gicquel and Delfine Delrue, currently in excellent form, were the first Europeans in action. They faced the Thai duo Ruttanapak Oupthong and Jhenicha Sudjaipraparat. This was the first meeting between the two pairs, and it ended with a French victory: 21-14, 22-20.
In the semifinals, the French pair will face the Chinese duo Chen Fang Hui and Guo Xin Wa, who earlier in the tournament knocked out the top-seeded pair Tang Chun Man and Tse Ying Suet from Hong Kong.
Mia Blichfeldt exits the tournament
Next up was Denmark's Mia Blichfeldt, who unfortunately lost to the strong Indonesian player Gregoria Tunjung. Tunjung, playing her first tournament after sustaining an injury at the Denmark Open a month ago, secured the win with scores of 21-16, 21-18.
It’s encouraging to see Tunjung back on the court, though it resulted in a exit for Blichfeldt.
Axelsen wins in all-European showdown
The day’s most anticipated match was the quarterfinal clash between Christo Popov and Viktor Axelsen. Heading into the match, Axelsen led their head-to-head record 6-0. Despite a tightly contested game with momentum shifting back and forth, it wasn’t the day for Popov to claim his first victory over Axelsen. The match ended with Axelsen winning 21-18, 16-21, 21-18.
After the match, a visibly elated Axelsen celebrated his hard-fought win. However, Axelsen struggled at times with his game and lacked support from the sidelines, as his coach P. K. Rhode was unable to travel to Japan due to visa issues.
In the semifinals, Axelsen will face China’s Li Shi Feng, who has shown great form in this tournament and previously eliminated France’s Alex Lanier in the first round.