Dechapol-Sapsiree and Yuta-Arisa combine to play longest mixed doubles match in India Open history

Published at :January 22, 2024 at 4:33 AM

Modified at :January 30, 2024 at 12:23 AM

(Courtesy : Badminton Association of India)

They become the first Thai mixed doubles pair to win a title at India Open.

Thailand’s Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Sapsiree Taerattanachai and Japanese pair Yuta Watanabe-Arisa Higashino combined to play the longest mixed doubles badminton match in the India Open history since the new scoring system was adopted in 2007. The record occurred during their quarter-final match at the India Open 2024. The Thai pair won the match 21-17, 15-21, 27-25.

Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai broke a streak of nine events without crossing the quarterfinals at the India Open 2024. Facing Yuta Watanabe/Arisa Higashino, the former World Champion pair saved four match points, displaying remarkable resilience, especially evident in Taerattanachai’s defense from the floor.

The hard-fought victory marked their first semi-final appearance since the Japan Open in July last year and their first win against the defending champions, Watanabe/Higashino after three consecutive losses. The match concluded with a 21-17, 15-21, 27-25 result in 86 minutes.

“It’s about who makes mistakes first,” said Taerattanachai. “We lost to them the last three times, so we played with nothing to lose, and we kept up the attack. I think this is the longest third game we’ve played.”

#IndiaOpen2024 𝓼𝓽𝓪𝓽 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓭𝓪𝔂This is the longest mixed doubles match at the India Open since the 2⃣1⃣✖️3⃣ scoring system was adopted in 2⃣0⃣0⃣7⃣.#BWFWorldTour https://t.co/dLofBOxAEC pic.twitter.com/6PKUjBGJEf
— BWF (@bwfmedia) January 20, 2024

This marks the longest mixed doubles match in the entire history of India Open. Also, Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai went on to win the title this week, becoming the first ever Thai mixed doubles pair to win a title at India Open. They’ll return back to World Rank 06 this week.

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The sixth seeded pair rallied to defeat Ye Hong-wei and Lee Chia-hsin of Taiwan 18-21, 21-15, 21-19 in a 74-minute semi-final of the World Tour Super 750 event on Saturday to enroute the final showdown at the KD Jadhav arena. The pair’s last title came at the Malaysia Masters in May 2023.

With this Thailand has won at least one title at India Open since 2019. They also complete having titles from all the sectors. 2013 World Champion Ratchanok Intanon is the most successful Thai shuttler from India Open with three titles. Kunlavut Vitidsarn was the defending champion from 2023 who upset Victor Axelsen in the finale was knocked out in the round of 16.

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