The final results of the 2024 Japan Open were marked by a surprise from the French men’s singles player, Alex Lanier. He managed to become the champion in the men’s singles event.
Alex Lanier, an unseeded player who is only 19 years old, became the champion of the 2024 Japan Open after defeating Chou Tien Chen (Taiwan). Competing at the Yokohama Arena, Kanagawa, Japan, Alex Lanier defeated Chou Tien Chen in two straight games with a score of 21-17 and 22-20, Sunday (25/8/2024).
Previously, on his way to becoming the champion, Alex Lanier had defeated several top names. The world’s 29th ranked badminton player defeated the bronze medalist at the Paris Olympics, Lee Zii Jia (Malaysia), in the first round. After that, he defeated the Indonesian men’s singles player, Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo (last 16), and the host’s representative, Kenta Nishimoto (quarter-finals). The thrill continued into the semifinals when Lanier defeated world number one Shi Yu Qi in a rubber game, before defeating Chou Tien Chen in the final.
Lanier said he played the best badminton of his career and pledged to “achieve something really huge” at the World Championship in Paris next year. The Frenchman, who did not play in the Paris Games, credited his success to hard work over the summer to prepare for the Japan Open.
List of champions
Meanwhile, China emerged as the overall champion of the 2024 Japan Open by taking home two titles. One other title each was won by Japan, Malaysia, and France.
Japanese women’s singles, Akane Yamaguchi maintained the tradition of the host’s representative champion who had managed to secure at least one title since the 2017 Japan Open. The Japan Open title is also the fourth title for Yamaguchi after previously winning the 2013, 2019, and 2022 editions.
In addition, sweet results were also achieved by the Malaysian men’s doubles who had separated earlier, Goh Sze Fei/Nur Izzuddin Rumsani. Goh/Nur managed to win their first title in the Super 750 level tournament and also became their highest achievement.
Complete 2024 Japan Open Final Results:
MD: Goh Sze Fei/Nur Izzuddin Rumsani (Malaysia/8) vs Kang Min-hyuk/Seo Seung-jae (South Korea/3) 21-19, 21-15
MS: Alex Lanier (France) vs Chou Tien Chen (Taiwan) 21-17, 22-20
XD: Tang Chun Man/Tse Ying Suet (Hong Kong/6) vs Jiang Zhen Bang/Wei Ya Xin (China/2) 12-21, 12-21
WD: Baek Ha-na/Lee So-hee (South Korea/ 1) vs Liu Sheng Shu/Tan Ning (China/2) 18-21, 20-22
MS: Busanan Ongbamrungphan (Thailand) vs Akane Yamaguchi (Japan/2) 11-21, 10-21
