Indonesia’s Muhammad Yusuf extended his impressive run, defeating India’s Saneeth Dayanand 22-21, 21-15 to open proceedings on Day Two of the Lagos International Badminton Classics.
It was a day filled with surprises, as Japan’s Minoru Koga shocked India’s fifth seed Rahul Bharadwaj with a commanding 21-15, 21-13 victory. Despite enjoying strong support from the Lagos crowd, Bharadwaj struggled to find his rhythm. Koga dominated the first set and maintained relentless pressure in the second, leaving his opponent unable to mount a comeback.
In another one-sided contest, Korea’s Park Ga Eun cruised past Sreeith Parol of the Philippines 21-11, 21-5 to book her place in the quarter-finals.
Poland’s Dominik Kwinta (world No. 165) also delivered one of the most entertaining matches of the day, edging India’s Irvin Walter 21-17, 22-20 in straight sets. Both players showcased powerful strokes and sharp court positioning, but Kwinta’s consistency and hunger ultimately secured him the win.
Meanwhile, Indonesia’s top-ranked Prahdiska Shujiwo advanced comfortably after dispatching Poland’s Mikolaj Syzmanowski 21-17, 21-18 to reach the Round of 16.
Many of the advancing players expressed delight at their progress and promised to raise their game as the competition intensifies.
The tournament, which began on August 27, will conclude on August 30 at the Okoya Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.