NEW ZEALAND OPEN 2011 – Sato and Japan shine in Auckland

Sayaka Sato from Japan could break into the top 20 players in the world for the first time after her success in Auckland in the Li-Ning International New Zealand Badminton Open this weekend. The young Japanese beat her opponent Gu Juan from Singapore 21-14, 21-13 to secure one of her best achievements on court. At world number 23, she was close to entering the top 20 in the fall of 2010 but never reached that stage.

Japan had two more successes in the event – which was a high-level prelude to the upcoming Yonex Sunrise Australian Open this week in Melbourne. Unseeded Riichi Takeshita beat Hong Kong’s Wong Wing Ki in the final of the men’s singles, while Miki/Yonemoto beat Hong Kong’s Poon and Tse in the women’s doubles, making it a hat trick for Japan.

Singapore got away with the other two titles in mixed and men’s doubles

Final results :

MS : Richii Takeshita (JPN) beat Wong Wing Ki (HKG): 21-19, 21-19
WS : Sakaya Sato (JPN) beat Gu Juan (SIN) : 21-13, 21-14
MD : Chrisnanta/Wijaya (SIN) beat Huang/Lu (TPE): 21-15, 21-17
WD: Miki/Yonemoto (JPN) beat Wong/Tse (HKG) : 21-16, 16-21, 22-20
XD: Chrisnanta/Neo (SIN) beat Kamura/Yonemoto (JPN): 21-14, 21-13

Full results HERE