Matsutomo-Shida Want To End Brief Combo In Style In India Open

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 10 (Bernama) -- Japan's women's doubles scratch pairing of Misaki Matsutomo-Chiharu Shida intend to mark the end of their two-tournament combination on a high in India next week after crashing out in the quarter-finals of the ongoing Malaysia Open here today.

They are dubbed the "limited edition pair” because Shida's regular partner, Nami Matsuyama, decided to take a break after they finished runners-up in the season-ending Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Tour Finals last month.

 Matsutomo-Shida lost 16-21, 16-21 to fourth seeds Li Yi Jing-Luo Xu Min of China in 52 minutes in the last eight of the Malaysia Open at the Axiata Arena here today.

That's why Matsutomo hopes they can raise their performance to do much better in the Jan 14-19 India Open in New Delhi, which she said would be a sweet parting gift for their brief partnership. 

“Of course, we want to win it (2025 India Open). We believe we are improving with every match we play together.

“We will continue to prepare for the next tournament and put in our full effort as a pair,” she told reporters in a post-match interview today.

Shida, meanwhile, said it was a privilege to play alongside the Rio 2016 Olympic Games gold medallist as she had learnt so much from the 32-year-old Matsutomo.

“Her mindset is very strong and not many players have that kind of understanding of the game. I want to continue learning from her,” she said.

Shida said Matsuyama hopes to be back in action again at the world’s oldest badminton tournament, the All England, in Birmingham from March 11-16.

Since Shida-Matsuyama, the 2024 Paris Olympics bronze medallists, did not win any World Tour titles last year, the 27-year-old Shida hopes to welcome that she and Matsuyama can announce their comeback in style by reclaiming the All England title they won in 2022.

-- BERNAMA