French Teen Lanier Takes Badminton Japan Open

France's Alex Lanier dives to return against Taiwan's Chou Tien-chen on his way to victory in the Japan Open badminton tournament Yuichi YAMAZAKI Text size French teenager Alex Lanier captured his first major badminton trophy Sunday at the Japan Open, beating experienced Taiwanese shuttler Chou Tien Chen 21-17, 22-20. The 19-year-old stunned the world with his winning march through the week, reaching the final after beating Chinese world number one Shi Yuqi and Paris bronze medalist Lee Zii Jia of Malaysia. Lanier, ranked 29th in the world, said he played the best badminton of his career and pledged to "achieve something really huge" at the World Championship in Paris next year. “I have no words actually,” he said of his victory. "I want to be one of the best players." Lanier was a popular winner, cheered passionately by the crowd at Yokohama Arena. The Frenchman, who did not play in the Paris Olympics, credited his success to hard work over the summer to prepare for the Japan Open. “I need to win these kinds of tournaments to be prepared for the World Championship, and I will try to do my best in front of the French crowd also,” he said "I'm just now focused on what I'm doing on court, how to play matches against the best ones in the world." hih/fox