French teenager Lanier wins Japan Open badminton title

France's Alex Lanier dives to come back against Taiwan's Chou Tien-chen en route to victory at the Japan Open badminton tournament Yuichi YAMAZAKI Text size Updates on women's singles and doubles events French teenager Alex Lanier won his first major badminton trophy at the Japan Open on Sunday, beating experienced Taiwanese shuttler Chou Tien Chen 21-17, 22-20. The 19-year-old shocked the world with his triumphant march in the men's singles, reaching the final after beating Chinese world number one Shi Yuqi and Paris Olympics bronze medallist Lee Zii Jia of Malaysia. Lanier, ranked 29th in the world, said he had played the best badminton of his career and vowed to "achieve something really big" at the world championships in Paris next year. "I actually have no words," he said of his victory at Yokohama Arena. "I want to be one of the best players." The Frenchman, who did not compete at the Paris Games, attributed his success to the hard work he put in over the summer to prepare for the Japan Open. "I need to win these kinds of tournaments to be ready for the World Championship, and I will try to do my best in front of the French crowd as well," he said. "I'm now focused on what I do on the court, on how to play matches against the best in the world." Home favourite and former world champion Akane Yamaguchi claimed a 21-11, 21-10 victory over Thai challenger Busanan Ongbamrungphan in the women's singles, reclaiming the crown for the fourth time after a 43-minute encounter. "Overall, I was able to stay proactive. I had control of the game throughout the match. I stayed very positive throughout the match and I wanted to do better and better," she said. The cheers from the home fans also encouraged her, Yamaguchi said. “It was a lot of fun. I was able to stay relaxed. And the results followed,” she said. In the men's doubles final, Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin of Malaysia defeated Kang Min Hyuk and Seo Seung Jae of South Korea 21-19, 21-15. China's Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning beat South Korea's Baek Ha Na and Lee So Hee 21-18, 22-20 in women's doubles. The mixed doubles title went to China's Jiang Zhen Bang and Wei Ya Xin, who beat Taiwan's Tang Chun Man and Tse Ying Suet 21-12, 21-12.