Kodai Naraoka-Anders Antonsen record longest match in BWF China Masters history

This was also only the second match to go over 100 minutes.

Kodai Naraoka and Anders Antonsen combined to play the longest match in the China Masters history. Their match at the China Masters 2023 round of 16 stage was a nail-biting affair that lasted for 110 minutes (1 hour and 50 minutes).

This is only the second match in the tournament’s history to go over 100 minutes, with the first being the Chen Long-Kantaphon Wangcharoen first-round duel at the Fuzhou China Open 2018, which took 107 minutes to complete.

However, Naraoka-Antonsen’s match surpassed that to become the longest match in the tournament history. Japanese Naraoka won the match in three games, beating his Danish opponent 21-19, 12-21, 21-19.

The third game between the two became an intense battlefield, characterized by relentless rallies and strategic exchanges. Both athletes exhibited unwavering determination, engaging in a fiercely contested bout. Yet, it was World No. 5, Naraoka, who exhibited exceptional resilience, clinching the deciding game 21-19, ultimately securing the match in a stunning fashion.

This victory marked Naraoka’s fourth triumph against Antonsen in their head-to-head encounters, adding to the intense rivalry between the two, with WR-10 Antonsen claiming victory in three previous encounters. Notably, the match witnessed an impressive tally of 113 points, with Naraoka showcasing his dominance by notching an astonishing streak of 5 consecutive points in the third game.

The game was marked by strategic maneuvers, swift footwork, and strategic shot placements, making this a match not just the skill of endurance but also the whole plethora of badminton repertoire.

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Reflecting back on the memorable Chen Long-Kantaphon Wangcharoen showdown at the Fuzhou China Open in 2018, a similar spectacle unfolded. Lasting a gripping 107 minutes, Chen Long emerged victorious after a grueling battle, overcoming Wangcharoen with a scoreline of 17-21, 21-12, 23-21.

Kodai Noaroka, after a hard-fought victory over Anders Antonsen, continued his winning streak in the quarterfinals against Prannoy, winning 21-9, 21-14. He also defeated fellow Japanese Kanta Tsuneyama 21-15, 21-19 in the semis to reach the final of the BWF China Masters 2023 where he will face the winner between Kenta Nishimoto and Zhao Jun Peng in the championship match.

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