Kento Momota defeated Jonatan Christie in quarter-finals Semi-final showdown with Son Wan Ho awaits

World No.1 player, Kento Momota from Japan came back from behind and advanced to the semi-finals after defeating Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie in this afternoon’s (November 16) quarter-finals at the YONEX-SUNRISE Hong Kong Badminton Championships 2018, he is set to face South Korean Son Wan Ho for a berth in the final, who beat compatriot Lee Dong Keun in another quarter-finals showdown.

2018 Asian Games Men’s Single gold medalist Jonatan Christie was the first to smell blood in the opening game of this quarter-final, the Indonesian once led 16:11, and then 20:15, only for Kento Momota to strike back and claimed five straight points to level the game at 20 apiece. The first game belonged to Christie still, who won 24:22 after deuce. The rest of the match became a lopsided battle as Kento Momota took full control, the Japanese won back-to-back games at 21:9, and advanced to the semi-finals.

Ever since returning from suspension, Kento Momota stormed to the top spot in BWF World Rankings within 14 months, “This is my first experience as a world No.1 player, I am not sure what is to happen next, but I hope to retain this spot for a year. I did not pay much attention to rest and nutrition in the past, yet I’ve found my way to remain sharp, and play my best game,” said the Japanese. Jonatan Christie, meanwhile, admitted he must improve his stamina to stand any chance against the world’s best Kento Momota. In another quarter-finals, South Korea’s Son Wan Ho dispatched compatriot Lee Dong Keun in a rather straightforward win, Son defeated Lee 21:16, 21:14, and is set to face-off with Kento Momota for a spot in the final.

Over to Women’s Single, sixth seed Ratchanok Intanon from Thailand sent Japan’s Yamaguchi Akane crasing out at the quarters, the Thai deservedly advance following a 21:9, 21:16 victory. China’s He Bingjiao also fell to South Korean Sung Ji Hyun, the world No.7 from Jiangsu lost the first game 13:21, before pulling out claiming injury when trailing 11:19 in the second game.

South Korean pair Lee So Hee and Shin Seung Chan survived some massive scare in the Women’s Double quarter-finals. The world No.7 pair conceded the first game 13:21 to Thailand’s Puttita Supajirakul and Sapsiree Taerattanachai, before coming back to take the next two games at 21:17, 21:18 to seal the win against the Thais. Meanwhile, world No.8 Men’s pair Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto eliminated Chinese Taipei’s Lee Jhe-Huei and Lee Yang, the Indonesians won 21:17, 25:23 and progressed to the semi-finals.