BIRMINGHAM: Japan were the big winners of the German Open with women’s singles shuttler Sayaka Takahashi pulling off the biggest upset.
Sayaka who is currently the top-ranked Japanese woman at No. 13 in the world, proved her mettle as as she dumped top seed and world No. 5 Sung Ji-hyun of South Korea for the title in Mulheim.
Sayaka won the closely contested final 21-17, 8-21, 21-12 in 53 minutes.
Women’s doubles pair Misaki Matsutomo-Ayaka Takahashi also lived up to their top billing as they overcame the challenge of Jung Kyung-eun-Kim Ha-na.