15 May, 2023
Team England fell to a 5-0 defeat against 2021 finalists Japan on the opening day of the 2023 TotalEnergies BWF Sudirman Cup Finals.
Women’s doubles duo Chloe Birch and Lauren Smith came closest to getting some points on the board, forcing a third set against two-time world champions Mayu Matsumoto and Wakana Nagahara as they suffered a 21-17, 13-21, 21-11 defeat.
Smith also threatened alongside Marcus Ellis in the mixed doubles, pushing Kyohei Yamashita and Naru Shinoya all the way in a hotly-contested opening game.
Ultimately, the Japanese held firm and ultimately prevailed 22-20, 21-7 – in what was the first tie of this Group D contest.
Ben Lane and Sean Vendy can hold their heads up high after a respectable display against Akira Koga and Taichi Saito, though they eventually lost 21-18, 21-15 in the men’s doubles.
Lisa Curtin was also in action in Suzhou against Saena Kawakami, the Japanese prevailing 21-4, 21-7.
Curtin was representing England abroad for the first time at the 18th edition of the prestigious mixed national team event, staged from 14-21 May in Suzhou, China – supported by Yonex, the official clothing supplier of the England National Team.
Much like Curtin, Nadeem Dalvi was also making his debut appearance overseas for Team England, and performed admirably against Kanta Tsuneyama in their men’s singles encounter, falling 21-10 21-7.
Team England will today play South Korea as action continues at the 18th edition of the prestigious mixed team event, before a final group stage contest against France on Wednesday.Â
