August 29, 2022
Ben Lane and Sean Vendy will aim to harness the momentum from a strong showing at the BWF World Championships when they return to court in the YONEX Japan Open on Tuesday.
The pair will continue their Japanese odyssey in Osaka after a scoring a landmark win over the men’s doubles top seeds Marcus Fernaldi Gideon and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo last Thursday.
Lane and Vendy produced a superb display in the third round contest in Tokyo to land a 21-15, 21-9 victory.
Although their run was ended in the last eight by fifth seeds Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto, who went on to take gold, it was a week that highlighted the ability of the English duo to compete with the best in the world on the big stage.
They will now look to continue their good form in the Land of the Rising Sun in the next Super 750 tournament on the tour, starting with their opening match on Tuesday.
Back in Tokyo with a vengeance. @SeanVendy and @BenLane012 just took out the top seeds at #BWFWorldChampionships💥#Tokyo2022 📸Badminton Photo pic.twitter.com/D99i5bO2Yd
— Team GB (@TeamGB) August 25, 2022
Placed in the top half of the draw, Lane and Vendy have been handed challenging first round opponents facing off with Japan’s Keiichiro Matsui and Yoshinori Takeuchi, who will look to make the most of home advantage.
An intriguing contest is on the cards in Maruzen Intec Arena, with the English pair having never previously faced the world No.34s.
If they make it through, Lane and Vendy could face the reigning Olympic champions Lee Yang and Wang Chi-lin, seeded fourth, presuming they come through unscathed against fellow countrymen Liu Ching Yao and Yang Po Han.
Elsewhere, Malaysia’s Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik have withdrawn from the tournament for a deserved rest after only becoming world champions late on Sunday.
‘The Minions’ Gideon and Sukamuljo who will be looking to put their surprise defeat to Lane and Vendy behind them, are also in the top half of the draw and seeded first.
