KUALA LUMPUR – Anders Antonsen has identified Japan’s Kodai Naraoka as his biggest challenge yet in the Malaysia Open, as the two prepare to clash in the men’s singles semi-finals tonight.
The world number two showcased his mental and technical strength in front of a packed crowd at the Axiata Arena yesterday, defeating Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn in straight games, 21-15, 21-12, during the quarter-finals.
The 27-year-old Dane, who holds eight World Tour titles, needed just 49 minutes to overcome the Thai player.
The opening set was closely contested, with the score level at 15-15 after the break.
However, Antonsen surged ahead, securing six consecutive points to claim the first game. The second game saw him dominate from the start, sealing a convincing win at 21-12.
Speaking to Scoop after the match, Antonsen described the upcoming encounter with Naraoka as an exciting prospect, especially since it will be their first meeting in a year.
The last time they faced off was in the quarter-finals of the 2024 Malaysia Open, where Antonsen triumphed in a three-game battle, 16-21, 21-12, 21-7. Their current head-to-head record stands evenly at 4-4.
“I never expected to finish the match comfortably against a player like Kunlavut. He gave me a good fight and kept me on edge, and I have the utmost respect for him on court.
“In this tournament, I’ve found myself to be calmer than before. I’ve been focusing on avoiding mistakes and sharpening my game.
“It’s going to be an interesting match against Naraoka, as I haven’t played against him in over a year, and I know it’s going to be my toughest game in this tournament. I know how he plays… it’s not easy.
“It’s definitely going to be a fun game, as I haven’t watched him play recently, so I’ll need to start doing my homework. But I’ve heard that he’s different compared to the last time I played him.
“For now, I just want to stay focused and prepare myself for the match tomorrow,” said Antonsen when met.
Meanwhile, Naraoka booked his semi-final spot with a solid 21-18, 21-15 victory over Hong Kong’s Ng Ka Long Angus in the quarter-finals.
The 23-year-old Japanese shuttler has two World Tour titles to his name, winning the 2022 Vietnam Open and the 2023 China Masters. – January 11, 2025