Vladimir Ivanov and Ivan Sozonov, the Russian badminton duo, have experienced a resurgence in their self-belief following their impressive victories at the TOTAL BWF Sudirman Cup 2019. These victories have given them renewed determination as they prepare for the upcoming TOTAL BWF World Championships in Basel and the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
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At the Sudirman Cup, Ivanov and Sozonov, alongside Vladimir Malkov in men’s singles, shocked the top-seeded Japanese team. Malkov defeated Kenta Nishimoto, while Ivanov and Sozonov triumphed over the in-form duo of Hiroyuki Endo and Yuta Watanabe. Although Japan eventually triumphed in the tournament, Nishimoto did not play another match, and Endo/Watanabe struggled to recover from their defeat, ultimately losing to China in the final.
For Ivanov and Sozonov, ranked 23rd in the world, these victories marked a significant turning point after a series of disappointing results over the past year. They had not advanced beyond the second round in 11 out of their last 13 tournaments, with the exceptions being the French Open (quarterfinals) and the Syed Modi International (semifinals) last season.
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Reflecting on their win over Endo/Watanabe, Ivanov remarked, “We felt no pressure. The atmosphere was amazing.” Sozonov added, “We haven’t played at this level for more than a year. They’re a top 5 pair, they’re playing well. Today we found our own game, our own style. They haven’t played us before this, and we took advantage. We prepared the same as always, but maybe we found our game today.”
The Russian duo, who had previously achieved notable successes such as winning the All England in 2016, have faced inconsistency and struggled to maintain their form. Despite their past achievements, they have won only two out of eight matches in individual tournaments this year.
Acknowledging their challenges, Sozonov admits, “Of course we haven’t played well. It’s difficult to keep playing at a high level. At our best, we were ranked No.7. But we still play well against all opponents. Sometimes we lose, sometimes we win. I would say we are close to our best again.”
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However, Ivanov and Sozonov believe that if they can sustain their current form, they will pose a formidable challenge to any pair they face on the court. With the World Championships in August and the Olympics on the horizon, their success at the Sudirman Cup has come at a crucial time.
“This win was very important for us, to give confidence, to give power for our next matches, and especially for next year,” says Sozonov. “This is an important year for qualifying for the Olympics. We need to play with the top players, but we also need to keep practicing.”
FAQs
Q: How did Vladimir Ivanov and Ivan Sozonov perform at the TOTAL BWF Sudirman Cup 2019?
A: Vladimir Ivanov and Ivan Sozonov performed exceptionally well at the TOTAL BWF Sudirman Cup 2019, securing victories against tough opponents and reigniting their self-belief in preparation for the TOTAL BWF World Championships 2019 and the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Q: What impact did the victories of Ivanov and Sozonov have on the top-seeded Japanese team?
A: Ivanov and Sozonov’s victories over Hiroyuki Endo and Yuta Watanabe served as a wake-up call for the top-seeded Japanese team, who found themselves 1-2 down in the tournament. Although Japan eventually won the Sudirman Cup, their players struggled to recover from the defeats suffered at the hands of the Russian duo.
Summary
Vladimir Ivanov and Ivan Sozonov, the Russian badminton pair, have regained their self-belief after securing impressive victories at the TOTAL BWF Sudirman Cup 2019. Their wins against formidable opponents have reignited their competitive spirit in anticipation of the TOTAL BWF World Championships and the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Despite facing inconsistency in their recent performances, Ivanov and Sozonov are determined to maintain their current form and prove themselves against top players on the international stage. Their success at the Sudirman Cup has provided them with renewed confidence and motivation as they continue to strive for excellence in their badminton careers.
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