"No An Se-young this time" — Japanese media also eye Yamaguchi's "home turf" title... World No. 2, who suffered an 11-match losing streak against the queen of badminton, becomes the top seed this time

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Japan's world No. 2, Yamaguchi Akane (29), will challenge for a home victory at a tournament without South Korea's badminton "queen" An Se-young (24, Samsung Life Insurance). Japanese media also focused on the possibility of Yamaguchi reclaiming the top spot.

Japan's J Sports noted on the 9th (Korean time), "Whether Yamaguchi can win her second title at this tournament in two years in Kumamoto, the home base of her affiliated team, is a key point to watch," expressing anticipation.

The 2026 Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Tour Kumamoto Masters (Super 500) opened on the 10th at the Kumamoto Prefectural General Gymnasium in Japan. It will run until the 15th.

The most notable aspect of this tournament is the absence of world No. 1 An Se-young. On the 8th, An defeated Yamaguchi 2-1 (21-12, 15-21, 21-16) in the women's singles final of the Korea Open held at Yeosu Jinnam Gymnasium in Gwangju Metropolitan City, South Jeolla Province, to claim the title.

With this, An lifted her 11th championship trophy of the season. She has achieved 11 wins in a single season for the second consecutive year, following last year. This year, she has recorded 71 wins and one loss, on an impressive 55-match winning streak.

In particular, An holds a dominant advantage in recent head-to-head matches against Yamaguchi. Although she lost to Yamaguchi in last year's Korea Open final, she has since won 11 consecutive matches.

Yamaguchi is also a top-tier player ranked world No. 2, but she has struggled to overcome An's wall.

However, the situation is different this time. With An not participating in the Kumamoto Masters, Yamaguchi received the No. 1 seed. She can now challenge for the title without facing her strongest competitor, An.

J Sports also focused on this situation. The outlet reported, "With world No. 1 An Se-young withdrawing from participation, Yamaguchi will compete as the No. 1 seed."

It added, "Yamaguchi has won three times, including at the China Open (Super 1000)," and evaluated that she "has consistently built good results this season." In addition, Yamaguchi recorded five runner-up finishes, including at the most recent tournament, the Korea Open.

Yamaguchi previously reached the top of the Kumamoto Masters in 2024. This time, she aims for her second title at the tournament in two years. Last year, Thailand's Ratchanok Intanon claimed the victory.

However, Yamaguchi also suffered a shocking result by being eliminated from the French Open last month in her first match.

The outlet pointed out, "Yamaguchi consecutively competed in major stages such as the Japan Open in July, the World Championships in August, and the Asian Games in September," adding, "She is at a stage of regaining her condition from autumn through winter. How much she has recovered her competitive form for this tournament is important."

Yamaguchi's first opponent will be a fellow Japanese player. She will face Akechi Hina (world No. 16) in the women's singles round of 32 on the afternoon of the 11th.

Akechi rode an upward trend by finishing as runner-up at the French Open last month. On the 7th, she lost to An Se-young 0-2 (16-21, 12-21) in the Korea Open semifinals.

The outlet predicted, "It is a pity that two Japanese players will face each other from the very first match, but it is a matchup drawing significant attention from the early stages of the tournament."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original