Having secured a remarkable victory in November, Rin Iwanaga and Kie Nakanishi have achieved another significant breakthrough at the PETRONAS Malaysia Open 2024. By defeating third seeds Kim So Yeong and Kong Hee Yong with a score of 21-16 21-16, the world No.15s have marked their debut appearance in the Super 1000 quarterfinals, two months after claiming their first title at the Syed Modi India International.
The duo expressed their confidence, attributing their success to the boost they gained from their win in India. “Winning in India boosted our confidence and we’ve carried that into the new year. This is the most confident we’ve felt since we came together,” acknowledged Nakanishi. They revealed that their strategic approach against higher-ranked pairs has evolved. Rather than relying solely on aggression, they have adopted a more measured game plan with increased shot variation, making it difficult for their opponents to anticipate their moves. This win has erased the bitter memory of their loss to the same combo at the same venue a year ago in the tournament’s first round.
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The final quarter of 2023 proved to be productive for the Japanese duo. They achieved their first back-to-back semifinals at the Arctic and Denmark Opens before securing their maiden title at the Syed Modi India International. Their success can be attributed to their hard work in improving their focus and communication both on and off the court. By developing a stronger partnership, they have achieved better results.
Caption: Rin Iwanaga and Kie Nakanishi were more relaxed than their opponents.
Iwanaga and Nakanishi have reached their career-high ranking of 15th since partnering up in 2019, and they have set their sights on another milestone. Their goal for 2024 is to qualify for the HSBC BWF World Tour Finals and strive to finish among the world’s top eight. Iwanaga, despite being fourth in the Japanese pecking order, remains ambitious and has not given up on the possibility of qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. “We have to believe we can sneak in,” she enthused, emphasizing the importance of performing well in the remaining tournaments within the qualifying window.
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In the upcoming quarterfinals, Iwanaga and Nakanishi will face Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto, the pair they defeated in the Syed Modi final. Ponnappa and Crasto have become first-time Super 1000 quarterfinalists after a surprising victory over seventh seeds Mayu Matsumoto and Wakana Nagahara. The team analyzed their previous defeat against Ponnappa and Crasto at the Hong Kong Open, learned from their mistakes, and adjusted their strategy accordingly. The turning point in their match was their attitude during the third game, with a focus on enjoying the experience and maintaining a positive mindset.
FAQs
1. How have Rin Iwanaga and Kie Nakanishi improved their performance?
Over the past year, Iwanaga and Nakanishi have worked on their focus and communication, both on and off the court. They have become more measured in their approach, incorporating shot variation to catch opponents off guard.
2. What are the career goals of Iwanaga and Nakanishi?
Their primary goal for 2024 is to qualify for the HSBC BWF World Tour Finals and finish among the world’s top eight. Additionally, Iwanaga is ambitious about qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, despite being fourth in the Japanese pecking order.
3. Who will Iwanaga and Nakanishi face in the quarterfinals of the PETRONAS Malaysia Open 2024?
They will face Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto, the pair they defeated in the Syed Modi final. Ponnappa and Crasto have also made it to the Super 1000 quarterfinals for the first time.
Conclusion
Rin Iwanaga and Kie Nakanishi have demonstrated their exceptional skills and determination at the PETRONAS Malaysia Open 2024. Their success can be attributed to their improved focus, communication, and strategic approach. By securing their spot in the Super 1000 quarterfinals, they have set their sights on achieving even greater heights in their badminton careers. With an unwavering belief in their abilities, they continue to aim for success on both the world tour circuit and in the pursuit of Olympic qualification.
Caption: Ayako Sakuramoto and Rena Miyaura elated with their win.
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