BADMINTON – There will be no final in Denmark for <a href="https://www.archysport.com/2022/02/badminton-euro-cadets-double-golden-lanyard/" title="Badminton. Euro cadets: Double golden lanyard”>Alex Lanier. A little generous this evening against Kiko Watanabe, the young Frenchman lost in two sets (21-16, 21-13). It is therefore the Japanese who will meet Anders Antonsen for the title.
In the mind, Alex Lanier had won his place in the last four. After leading the eighth against Viktor Axelsen before the Olympic champion, ill, gave up, the Frenchman had put an end to the course of Loh Kean Yew, No. 11 in the world. At the end of an intense 1h20 fight during which he notably saved two match shuttlecocks, Lanier found himself in the semi-finals Koki Watanabe. A far from unknown opponent for the French nugget who was deprived of the title in Canada by the same Japanese last July.
End of a great journey for Alex Lanier
Alex Lanier led a hard life Koki Watanabe but could not overthrow him. As the battle took hold in the first round, the Japanese’s sharper attacks often pushed his rival to make mistakes. Despite some flashes from the Frenchman, who took control of the match for a while, Watanabe quickly got back in front. Then, a long rally of 51 shots, won by the world No. 13, then gave the Japanese the psychological ascendancy for the end of this initial set, 17-15. Of the last five points, Lanier only scored one. 21-16 in favor of the Japanese badista.
The second set did not start under the best auspices for the Frenchman, still very imprecise in his choices. One unit away from getting back together after winning the longest exchange of the game (61), Alex Lanier didn’t keep up the pace. What you shouldn’t do to win a point… Still blowing hot and cold in the second act, he certainly offered himself a little hope but never any air. Koki Watanabe brought it all back, knocking out the Habs a little more by winning another endless point (16-11). At the end of his strength, the Frenchman finished with this beautiful performance, also beaten 21-13 in the second set (21-13).
🇫🇷🏸 Alex Lanier loses in the semi-finals of the Danish Open against Koki Watanabe (0-2)!#lequipeBADMINTON pic.twitter.com/VV6ZC8PhBm
— THE TEAM (@lequipe) October 19, 2024
