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Japanese teenager Tomoka Miyazaki continues her impressive rise at the senior level, reaching her first semifinal at a HSBC BWF World Tour Super 1000 event.
The 18-year-old overcame a late push from Yeo Jia Min in the opening game of their VICTOR China Open 2024 quarterfinal, securing a swift 21-18, 21-6 victory in just 32 minutes. This triumph sets up an all-Japanese semifinal against Akane Yamaguchi.
“This is my second Super 1000 tournament. My initial goal was to reach the quarterfinals, so I’m pleased I made it,” said Miyazaki.
“I entered the match determined to win. Once I achieved that, my next objective was to aim higher and perform even better.”
Throughout the first game, Miyazaki maintained a lead, appearing dominant at 18-13, but Yeo fought back with five consecutive points.
“My opponent’s crosscourt drops are excellent, and she’s strong at hitting deep with her backhand, so I stayed cautious of those. Her smashes are powerful too. In the second game, she picked up the pace, so I had to match it. I did a lot of retrieving as well,” explained Miyazaki.
Rising quickly through the ranks, Miyazaki credits the fan support for helping her manage the pressure.
“I do feel a bit of pressure, but hearing the support while I’m playing makes me happy. Instead of seeing it as pressure, it motivates me.”
