Just for fun, I tracked the shots from Watanabe/Higashino that directly/indirectly led them to losing points. Of the 35 points that they lost: Watanabe cost them 42.86% of those points, Higashino cost them 51.43% , and 5.71% from mutual error. Only 17.14% of the total 35 lost points were because of weak smash defense from Higashino (exactly 1/3rd of all Higashino's lost points were from weak smash defense). It's interesting to see the numbers because the errors from Watanabe and Higashino aren't as far apart as it "feels". From this data, most of Watanabe's errors come from proactive shots that didn't work and most of Higashino's errors come from defensive or continuation shots, so I'm guessing that's why it feels like a greater difference between the two.
Thats very interesting insights, thank you. I would think, that this match is an exception and they usually are further apart in that regard. Because I have never actually tracked that, but I often try to notice, who costs them the point by weak execution or wrong shot selection. In my opinion this is definitely Arisa most of the time. Of course Yuta makes errors as well, but he has to do most of the playmaking. When they are in defence, Arisa keeps lifting and Yuta will at some point risk something to turn it into attack. I love them as a pair, but Yuta is All Time Great level and Arisa is not.
@@FedexStyle777 I am a Huge Yuta fan but I do not completely Agree. Looking at this match, I am really dazzled by the level of play from Arisa. So little mistakes, and especially, so easily sucking up the pressure from the Chinese. Yuta can lift at her side of the court, he can go for the net, without having to worry. She really makes him shine, which makes it an amazing team effort for me.
@@FedexStyle777yes Arisa isn't a gifted player compared to Yuta but stating "Yuta is All Time Great Level and Arisa is not" is just not it. Arisa has shown tremendous improvement post Tokyo 2020 and both work together to make the partnership successful. We can see it clearly that Yuta struggled post his latest injury and Arisa did a wonderful job to cover him. He can shine and do his magic shot on court because he is supported by a great partner too.
@@FedexStyle777what a very biased opinion to tolerate his errors "Yuta makes error but he has to do most of the playmaking" DUH arisa is playing in front and covering the back court as well🤦🏻♀️ if yuta makes a bunch of errors then you be like oh all is okay he's still a god but suddenly if it's arisa you think she played bad?
I believe that Yuta and ZSW are equally talented in their own ways. Yuta is a tactician, while ZSW is a very solid all-rounder player [attacker and retriever with solid returns]. The players that made the difference [as usual, in XD games] are the 2 women. Arisa played with lesser error today and HYQ performed poorly as compared to her usual outstanding game. The end result = 2set game in favor of Yuta/Arisa
As Higashino becomes more well rounded over the years, the pair grows stronger. That cross body defence is still this pairs weakness but today they were really good at keeping the shuttle away from Zheng Siwei for easy smash winners. Both Japanese players played their hearts out and Yuki with some magical shots on top.
Watanabe played absolutely phenomenal today! Left the world champions stunned on so many occasions! Higashino was solid in defence as well and kept pace with the Chinese, but it was clear Yuta lapped all three today.
Everytime I watch these 2 play each other, I'm always so scared for Watanabe/Higashino but the both of them were absolutely on fire. The number of magic shots Watanabe pulled off this game was insane. I hope to see them win this year! Good game!
Tyra and Arisa both played so great this match. Especially Arisa, she improved a lot on defence heavy smash. Her improvement path their way to the final.
Arisa really improve so much. Now, if only Yuta can decrease his errors and play the same as in this game, it is game over 4 other players. I say "game over" bcoz, if Arisa keeps improving on defense it really really helps the overall performance of both. D last 3 points of the second set is Arisa's improved performance check box list. Excellent show game and civility.
Great play by Watanabe/Higashino in the semis! And bring on tomorrow where it's a repeat of last years finals but hopefully not history repeating itself! Zheng/Huang put up a good match and always great when these 2 pairs play together but Watanabe's magic was too much for them today! Hopefully Yuta and Arisa bring home the win on home soil!
i'm glad Higashino/Watamabe play level double again against the Huang/Zheng and win. and in fact that was how they played in 2018 All England Final and won against the very similar opponent. Congrat~!!!
Finally, Japan has some representations. They have 2 pairs in the Japan Open Finals - men's doubles and mixed doubles. Japan had no representatives in the Finals in the Korea Open.
Zheng Siwei looked tired this year. His couldn't deliver on his smashes, hence lost a lot to Watanabe and Higashino as well as Kim/Jeong. It strange that the Japanese pair play badly against Zheng/Huang when they meet in finals, but do amazingly well when they meet in the Semi-finals.
Watanabe/Higashino bermain cemerlang hari ini ..memaksa Zheng/Huang memngikuti tempo bermain mereka yg cepat dan membuat Zheng/Huang kewalahan...plus servis Watanabe/Higasino sangat sempurna membuat posisi mereka selalu stabil.
people talk so much shit about yuta's lack of power. It is so untrue. he has a decent smash even though his game doesn't rely on blasting it like axelsen or prannoy. his precision and accuracy is out of this world and he has such a wide variety of shots in his arsenal, yet his smash isn't actually half bad
What do you mean????? They lost in straight games to Kim Jeong in Singapore Open just a few months ago, why you said never? They also lost in straight games and not just once but twice, to their juniors.
@Gill When Zheng turns after winning a rally, it's because you are not allowed to show a fist in the direction of your opponent, not because he is looking at the coach.
![DAIHATSU Japan Open 2023 | Zheng/Huang (CHN) [1] vs. Watanabe/Higashino (JPN) [3] | SF](/img/logo.svg){kind=logo}
