24 July, 2023
Sean Vendy and Ben Lane will face a tough test against two stars competing on their home court in the opening round of the 2023 Japan Open.
The English pair will face off against Japan’s Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi at Yoyogi National Gymnasium in Tokyo.
Hoki and Kobayashi are coming off the back of a men’s doubles triumph at their last 2023 BWF World Tour Super 750 event, the Singapore Open, where they beat 2023 Surdiman Cup gold medallists Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang of China.
Victory in their opener would see the two Englishmen face off against either Canada’s Adam Dong and Nyl Yakura or China’s Ren Xiangyu and Tan Qiang in the second round.
Chloe Birch and Lauren Smith will also have to overcome two Japanese players in the women’s doubles.
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The English pair will take on Rena Miyaura and Ayako Sakuramoto in their opening-round match.
A win will see the duo face either Yuki Fukushima and Sayaka Hirota of Japan or China’s Li Wenmei and Liu Xuanxuan.
Marcus Ellis and Smith will face Chinese Taipei’s Chang Ko-Chi and Lee Chih-Chen in the opening round of the mixed doubles.
The English pair were eliminated in the second round in Singapore, but will now have an opportunity to shine in Tokyo.
Success in their opener will set up a second-round clash with either Korea’s Ko Sung-Hyun and Eom Hye-Won or Malaysia’s Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Jemie Lai.
