JAPAN concluded the Crowne Plaza Northern Marianas Open 2024 by dominating the women’s single and women’s doubles at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium on Sunday.
In the women’s singles finals, Kaoru Sugiyama came out victorious against compatriot Sakura Masuki in both sets, 21-17, 21-15.
The entire match was filled with exchanges in a battle between Sugiyama’s power and Masuki’s speed.
In the first set, Sugiyama led most of the exchange as the power behind each of her smash return was nearly impossible to defend. But Masuki balanced the scale as she was quick enough to cover long distances and force Sugiyama to commit several errors.
However, Masuki could not keep up with the powerful smash returns of Sugiyama who eventually claimed the first set, 21-17.
In the second set, Sugiyama started strong with continuous smash returns. Although Masuki fended off most of the attacks, she was forced to answer with lob returns, which only set up Sugiyama for even more powerful returns that forced Masuki to commit errors.
Midway through the set, Masuki suddenly found her second wind as she forced the exchange with close-net action where she excelled with softer touches to throw off Sugiyama’s rhythm and close the distance once again.
However, after a series of offensive highlights by Masuki, Sugiyama was able to regain control of the game’s pace, forcing back-to-back errors on Masuki’s part to secure the second set, 21-15, and the championship.
“I was very nervous because I was going up against another Japanese player, but it was also good because I was able to give it my all,” Sugiyama said.
Throughout all five finals events, 14 players from Japan vied for a title and Sugiyama said she is grateful for the outcome.
“I think it is good that Japan was able to make it to the top spot in this international competition,” she added.
Sugiyama said she has played against Masuki many times before and is happy to win the title against her.
This is not Sugiyama’s first international title win as she has also won the international competitions in 2022 and 2023.
Women’s doubles
It was another all-Japan finale in the women’s doubles with Mizuki Otake and Miyu Takahashi defeating Miki Kanehiro and Rui Kiyama to win the title.
The chemistry between Otake and Takahashi was unbreakable as they worked well as a team covering each other’s weakside and answering with quick and aggressive returns to nearly silence Kanehiro and Kiyama, 21-4.
Midway through the second set, Kanehiro and Kiyama started to build momentum with a handful of powerful smashes paired with great placements in an attempt to close the distance. But it did not take long before Otake and Takahashi eventually overwhelmed their opponents to secure the win, 21-10, and the championship.
Otake and Takahashi now have a seven-year teammate relationship, and they play in the women’s doubles only. In September, the duo will compete in the Super 100 tournament.
The results for the men’s singles and doubles, and mixed doubles will be featured in Variety’s next editions.
Japan’s Mizuki Otake and Miyu Takahashi won the women’s doubles title of the Crowne Plaza Northern Marianas Open at the Ada gym on Sunday.
Mizuki Otake reaches for the backhand return as teammate Miyu Takahashi prepares to defend during the Crowne Plaza Northern Marianas Open women’s doubles finals match against Miki Kanhiro and Rui Kiyama at the Ada gym on Sunday.
Japan’s Sakura Masuki and Kaoru Sugiyama finished second and first in the women’s singles event of the Crowne Plaza Northern Marianas Open at the Ada gym on Sunday.
Kaoru Sugiyama extends for a smash return against Sakura Masuki during the women’s singles finals match of the Crowne Plaza Northern Marianas Open at the Ada gym.
