MS - Day 2 : Kento Momota got scared

WORLD N°1 STILL ALIVE

The man of the moment, everybody! Kento Momota, the one who has the best pourcentage of victory recently arrived at the stade Pierre de Coubertin, with a warm welcome from the French crowd. Everyone wants to see him play, wondering « How is he capable to play so well in so many tournaments in a row? » The Japanese, 2019 world champion faced a player from Chinese Taipei WANG Tzu Wei in his opener. He had to struggle more than expected.

He even seemed tired on court. We don’t have to ask why. Playing so many tournaments in a row but also winning them can be complicated at some point, even if you are Kento Momota. After 1 hour and 19 minutes of play, and the loss of the 1st game, he managed to keep the head off of the water. Final score : 15-21, 21-15, 21-16.

TOP PLAYERS FIGHTS

The 2017 French Open champion Srikanth KIDAMBI made his entrance on the court of the stade Pierre de Coubertin. Tough draw as he met CHOU Tien Chen, currently world n°2. This player has shown some amazing performances during the last couple of tournament, such as winning the Blibli Indonesia Open, Toyota Thailand Open, and Yonex Chinese Taipei Open.

The Indian managed to take the first game 21-15, imposing his style of playing, winning 5 consecutive points. CHOU Tien Chen is known for his capacity to keep his high level for a long period of time. (Remember the Blibli Indonesia Open final against Anders Antonsen where they finished the fight laying of the floor after an astonishing match of 1h and 31min)

After the loss of the first game quite fast, the world n°2 was ahead since the very beginning. 11-2 at the break, and then 19-5. Yes, three games matches is no problem for him, even for an opening round of such a huge tournament. So, deciding game it is. Tense game where the Indian had to be careful because of his attitude, according to the umpire. Celebrating a winning point while looking at ones opponent is not permitted, recalled he umpire. Chou Tien Chen managed to stay ahead during the entire game, with a gap of 5-6 points. The world n°2 defeated Srikanth KIDAMBI, 15-21, 21-7 21-14.

2nd meeting between Kenta NISHIMOTO and Sameer VERMA. The Japanese has the advantage to have already beaten Sameer in a previous tournament. The Japanese was ahead at the break (11-9) but everything was quite tense at early stage. They both gave the French crowd some amazing rallies that reflected well the score at that point (15-15) Kenta had 2 games points 20-18. At this moment his opponent needed to have a medical intervention for his hand. Strategic of not, that time out didn’t help the Japanese who had to wait and stop his rhythm of play. The Indian managed to take the 1st game 22-20. Kenta Nishimoto took his opponent to a deciding game that kept the breath out of the French crowd. After 1h and 24min of match, the Japanese managed to be by the winning side! With a final score of 20-22 21-18 21-18.

EASY MATCHES

First encounter between PARAPULLI Kashyap and NG Ka Long Angus. The world n°9 was better since the very beginning. Today he won his ticket for the 2nd round of the French Open Super 750, after loosing in opening rounds for the two last tournaments. In 32 minutes, he prevailed over the Indian PARUPALLI Kashyap, in straight games, 21-11 21-9.

Playing at home can be an advantage! Thomas Rouxel had the entire crowd behind him, but it was not enough against a player like Viktor Axelsen. He who won his ticket for the next round in straight games, 21-9, 21-6. Good news for the Dane who is slowly coming back. In fact, he was out competition for couple of months and couldn’t make it to the World Championships. Today, he seemed ready to find back his best level. Indeed, last week we reached the semifinals at the Danisa Denmark Open. Playing against a local player can be disturbing but Viktor stayed focus and took the 1st game easily 21-9. Despite a strong support from the home crowd, Thomas Rouxel couldn’t keep up against a well playing Axelsen.

Same scenario for the Danish, Anders ANTONSEN from Denmark. He is the man of the moment. Recently finalist against Kento Momota at the World Championship in Basel, Anders is showing great results and he recently reached his highest ranking (5th in the world)

For his opening round, he met Misha Zilberman, world n°46. No doubt that Anders was favorite on the one, knowing he won both of their previous meetings. He led during the entire match, playing pretty safe and using this match to get used to the arena. 16min was needed for him to take the first game. Quite the same scenario during the 2nd, as he won the second. Final score: 21-10, 21-8.

No worries either for last year's champion CHEN Long. The fifth-seeded was untroubled in his opener against Denmark’s Rasmus Gemke. He defeated the Dane in 2 straight games 21-14, 21-12.

WITHDRAW AFTER A HUGE FIGHT

Opening round is a first meeting between LEE Cheuk Yiu and Mark CALJOUW from the Netherlands. Both pretty close in the ranking, they offered the crowd a great performance of men’s singles. That 3 games match was quite tense on the 4th court. It could have gone either way but at 16-16, Mark was hurt. He had to stop, unfortunately giving his opponent LEE Cheuk Yiu, the ticket to continue into the 2nd round at the 2019 French Open. Final score : 21-18, 16-21, 16-16.

OTHER MATCHES

Jonatan Christie, currently world n°7 faced the Danish Jan Jorgensen. Again! Not long ago but last week at the Dasina Denmark Open, both players met for the opening round! Once again, Jonatan Christie prevailed, and this time in straight games, 21-15, 21-16
 

No worries neither for the world n°15, the Japanese Kenta TSUNEYAMA who earn his ticket for the next round after defeating over WONG Wing Ki Vincent, 21-15, 21-7, in 36min.