Badminton Tournament report: World Tour Finals 2020

Hey Badmintonlovers all over the world,

Just a little intro before we start highlighting the finals which took place in Bangkok, Thailand last Sunday.
As you can see by status it says; strongest tournament on earth... All Elite players confirm this as a fact! Because if you put all results made of all players together, who played the highest level tournaments-circuit. Then you will have the 8 strongest players who consistently performed the best over many tournaments at the highest level...

The best 8 players, or couples... will battle against each other in a poule of 2 times 4 players. Only four players/couples will be able to advance to the semi-finals. If they are able to even win that match as well, you're in the final of the tournament!

So as an elite player you will face a very strong individual/couple every match... At world championships or All England, Olympics you for sure can draw players, who are lower in rank with quite a big difference in performing-level.

Tournament: World Tour Finals 2020

Status: Strongest Tournament on earth
Date: 25 - 31 January 2021

Men's Singles:

Anders Antonsen

Many people have seen Viktor Axelsen (Yonex Astrox 100 ZZ, Aerobite, 75th Shb65Z2) in a very good shape the last two weeks... He won two tournament 1000's back to back... So everybody would think that Axelsen would win over Anders Antonsen (victor auraspeed 90K, Vbs-63, Victor A950)!! To be honest including myself too..

It is no secret that Anders trains a lot with Axelsen, so for sure it would be a tactical game as they have played each other many times...

It was Antonsen who won the first set with clever play, followed by a very bad second game. Antonsen played tremendous again in the third set to secure the win with scores: 21-16, 5-21, 21-17.

Anders Antonsen Tour Finals Champion!!!!

For the first time with an extremely happy Anders, and with a good reason! Big achievement and promising for the future to maybe win this title another time. Who knows???

Ladies Singles:

Tai Tzu Ying

With this match I actually had the same expectation everyone had, just like with Viktor, that Marin would be the one to clinch the world tour finals trophy.... I am totally honest that for me this was another highlight of the weekend..

Both are my favorites, but somehow I hoped that Tai Tzu Ying would win.. I am straight to the point that with such a flaming desire that Carolina has,  she will secure her status as THE BEST EVER in Ladies Singles.. She has the same legends-statistics as Susi Susanti and Zhang Ning, if she will win another Olympic Medal or World Championships she will become the best.. And with 4-6 more years of playing, Carolina said in an interview that she continues to set her mark and even way beyond... Back to that incredible match ladies and gentlemen...

Carolina Marin (Yonex Nanoflare 700 Gold, Aerobite Boost, 75th Power Cushion Aerus Z Women) started off like we are used of the Huelva Queen... Relentless attacking play dominated her opponent Tai Tzu Ying (Victor Thruster F claw, Vbs-66 string, P9200 AB) and Marin won the first set with 21-14.

Tai has many fans all over the world, why?? Because she has the most technical play since we have seen in singles! Such a joy to watch, she started to play with good tactics and Carolina started to hesitate... and the second set was won by Tai...

Yessss, and then it will all come to the last and final set... It was equal in sets now so who would win the third with so much on stake? Mental strength is needed to stay cool and try to win over someone who is just as good as you are! Just like the first game Carolina was furious and a bit ahead in score, but with changing ends at eleven, Tai got a hold on Marin again... and with such an exciting and thrilling end it was Tai Tzu Ying who closed the last set with 21-19!!!

Carolina was stopped by scoring a hat trick of three big tournaments.....BUT.... Tai Tzu Ying made history: The Winner of the Tour Finals for the fourth time, what an incredible achievement by the brilliant shuttler from Chinese Taipeh!!!!

Men's Doubles:

mens doubles yonex

Finally, I can bring you the news what I could not bring you in the singles; We have the first hattrick of 2021!!

Again the doubles pair from Chinese Taipeh Lee Yang (Yonex Nanoflare 800, BG-80 string, 75th Power Cushion 65 Z 2) and Wang Chi-Lin (Yonex Nanoflare 700, BG-80 string, Power Cushion Infinity) were in amazing shape and form against a legendary couple from Indonesia...the daddies!!

Do you know why they have the nickname: The daddies? They have got that nickname from Indonesian fans because both players have children, and have a senior/veteran status in the world of badminton.

Mohammad Ahsan (victor auraspeed 100, P3910 shoes) and Hendra Setiawan (victor auraspeed 100, Victor A950 shoes) are legends in the game of World's best doubles players... They tried to use their experience, but they were a bit off today, and against such a hungry and good pair like Yang/Wang it is hard to take the win. But for sure really spectacular to see... I enjoyed every moment of that match!!!

Wang/Yang won with scores: 21-17 and 23-21! 

This was the chance to win the strongest tournament on the planet four times... Really unique, but unfortunately not a fact: fourth time of winning the tour finals 4 times... But of course it was phenomenal to even be in the finals. Again... Incredible result for the well playing pair from Chinese Taipeh, in straight sets they defeated the legendary couple from Indonesia!!!

Ladies Doubles:

ladies doubles yonex

Just like last week we could witness the same ladies doubles stars from Korea, showing supremacy once again!!

Another three set thrilling is shown to all viewers watching it live on screen. It was an 'edgy' win in favor of Lee So Hee (Yonex Nanoflare 700, Aerobite, 75th Power Cushion 65 Z 2 women’s) and Shin Seung Chan (Yonex Nanoflare 700, Aerobite, 75th Power Cushion 65 Z 2 women’s).

Especially the second set was sensational to watch, because the first was won by Kim So Yeong (yonex Astrox 88D, BG66 Ultimax, 75th Power Cushion Aerus Z Women) and her strong partner Kong Hee Yong (Yonex Duora 10 LT, BG66 Ultimax, 75th Power Cushion Aerus Z).

So who would be the strongest on court?? The pairs are so evenly in strength, monster rallies were played and now the victory went to Lee and Shin.... When the last rally was over two delighted ladies shouted full of happiness...

Ladies Doubles Champion of the Tour Finals 2021!!!!

Mixed Doubles:

mixed doubles yonex

Once again there were only two couples left to fight for the championship... Korea, represented by Seo Seung Jae (Yonex Nanoflare 700, BG-80 string, 75th Power Cushion 65 Z 2) and Chae Yu Jung (Yonex Nanoflare 700, BG-80 string, 75th Power Cushion 65 Z 2 women’s) who fought very well on court!

But it was Dechapol Puavaranukroh (Yonex Astrox 88S, Aerobite, Shb-65 Z2 black/blue) and his charismatic partner Sapsiree Taerattanachai (Yonex Astrox 88S, BG65, Power Cushion Aerus Z pink) from Thailand who created history too...

The FIRST couple out of Thailand to win the prestigious Tour Finals in the mixed doubles' category!!!

Well deserved, this is why I like to watch badminton over and over again. Mind-blowing rallies back and forth. If I had to summarize it in one word it would be AMAZING...

Spectacular saves without of this world defenses, grueling jumpsmashes and net-duels in my eye-sight for almost an hour of play... I love the mixed doubles category because it mostly has the most exciting rallies of all... What a match to end a three-week tournament period in Bangkok.

Conclusion:

You can clearly see who comes out on top every time, the strongest pairs and individuals were clearly on the frontline (semi/finals) every week..

The expectations of Marin and Axelsen winning, was not the outcome this last tournament.. Both Europeans lost, but of course played exceptionally good throughout these 3 weeks.

Anders Antonsen wins this prestigious title for the first time and Tai Tzu Ying sets a ridiculous record of 4 times winning this big event!!

The hattrick did take place two times, Wang and Yang of Chinese Taipeh and Dechapol Puavaranukroh / Sapsiree Taerattanachai from Thailand took all first prizes of this Asian Trilogy of high level badminton...

Korea was delighted to have another pair to win the ladies doubles category!
For sure last Sunday was more exciting to watch, as you can see to all five results.. It is fair to say that the Tour Finales do bring the best out of the very best...

Now it will take some time to the third Tour Report to write, but the European Leg comes within a couple of weeks.. Swiss, German and All England Opens will be played hopefully, I hope the situation stays under control with Corona.. So we can enjoy another couple tournaments WITH China and Japan involved..

It will take some time to see everybody in perfect shape, but it is what it is... I am so glad and happy that BWF made it possible for us to enjoy badminton like never before. Nearly all matches were streamed with the best quality out, and it was SUPER organized for the players.. I know it was quite strict for them in their hotel rooms and very strict regulations. But everybody was guided professionally and everybody stayed safe!!

Thank you for reading again!! I will come back to you in a few weeks!!

Stay safe, stay healthy and take care!!

Follow us on Instagram: kwflex_badminton and badminton_supreme!!

Greets,

Lars from Team KW FLEX

KW FLEX Racket speciaalzaak
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