SEOUL, Korea — As the Korea Open concluded on September 30th, national hero Lee Yong Dae (KOR) may not have been in the finals, but he was enthusiastically supported by the home crowd before making his exit in the quarterfinals. In all, #TeamYonex made yet another strong showing, taking home gold in three of five categories.
Badminton legend Lee Yong Dae returned to the Korea Open for the first time since 2016, along with his partner Kim Gi Jung, in men’s doubles and was welcomed back by an exuberant crowd. Following their triumph at the Spanish Master’s, they were unfortunately not able to repeat here in Seoul, though they made it to the quarterfinals, after defeating the World No. 4 pair of Takeshi Kamura and Keigo Sonoda (JPN).
In men’s singles, Chou Tien Chen (TWN) powered past Indonesia’s Tommy Sugiarto in an all-Team Yonex final for his third tour title of the year, winning 21-13, 21-16 in 39 minutes.
In another Team Yonex final, women’s doubles pair Ayaka Takahashi (JPN) and Misaki Matsumoto (JPN) captured their second straight title after the China Open, defeating compatriots and World No. 1s Yuki Fukushima and Sayaka Hirota, 21-11, 21-18.
And in men’s doubles, Hiroyuki Endo (JPN) and Yuta Watanabe (JPN) made an outstanding comeback against their countrymen Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi 9-21, 21-15, 21-10. It is Endo’s first major World Tour (formerly Superseries) title.
Full match results
Lee Yong Dae: ASTROX 88 S, BG80, POWER CUSHION 65 X WIDE
Kim Gi Jung: ASTROX 88 D, BG66 ULTIMAX, POWER CUSHION 03 Z MEN
Chou Tien Chen: DUORA Z-STRIKE, BG80, POWER CUSHION 65 Z WIDE
Ayaka Takahashi: DUORA7, BG80 POWER, POWER CUSHION 65 Z LADIES
Hiroyuki Endo: DUORA Z-STRIKE, AEROBITE
Yuta Watanabe: DUORA Z-STRIKE, BG66 ULTIMAX, POWER CUSHION 65 Z MEN
Photos by Badminton Photo