KUALA LUMPUR: Japan’s new women’s doubles pairing of Yuki Fukushima-Mayu Matsumoto is quickly emerging as a force on the World Tour.
The experienced duo stormed into the Malaysia Open semi-finals on Friday, marking their third last-four appearance since teaming up in November last year.
In a dominant performance, Fukushima-Matsumoto outclassed world No. 2 Baek Ha Na-Lee So Hee of South Korea 21-14, 21-18.
This victory came just a day after they defeated another South Korean duo, world No. 10 Kim Hye Jeong-Kong Hee Yong.
Standing between them and their maiden final are China’s rising stars Li Yi Jing-Luo Xu Min, the reigning China Open champions.
The Japanese pair’s partnership has shown great promise, with a runners-up finish at the Kumamoto Masters Super 500 and a semi-final appearance at the China Masters Super 750.
Both players bring impressive credentials to the partnership. Matsumoto, a two-time world champion with former partner Wakana Nagahara, became available after Nagahara’s post-Paris Olympics retirement to pursue academics.
Fukushima, meanwhile, concluded a decorated 12-year partnership with Sayaka Hirota, which yielded three World Championships silver medals.
Their emergence is timely for Japan, keen to reassert its dominance in women’s doubles after China and South Korea’s recent success.
“We’re really excited about our progress,” said Matsumoto, highlighting their focus on on-court communication.
Fukushima added, “We’re approaching this as a year-long partnership. Our priorities are maintaining focus and staying injury-free.”
In the day’s other quarter-final, Li and Luo displayed their Super 1000 credentials with a commanding 21-16, 21-16 victory over Japan’s Chiharu Shida-Misaki Matsutomo.
-NewStraitsTime