Preview of the Yonex Dutch Junior International 2017, 21-02-2017

The countdown to perhaps the best tournament in The Netherlands has begun.

The Yonex Dutch Junior International will be held from March 1st through to March 5th in the Duinwijckhall, Badmintonpad 1 in Haarlem. We are very much looking forward to this edition, on paper possibly the highest level we have ever witnessed.

With around 250 players from 24 different countries it promises to be a busy and lively event. We are glad to see that for instance Denmark and Indonesia are sending their top youth players to Haarlem, after a few years of absence. But ofcourse, we are equally happy to see the other players coming from all over the world and trying to claim the titles in this Grand Prix event. It is one of the few chances we get anywhere in the world to see Asia’s and Europe’s top talents battling it out.

In every event at least three of the top ten world ranked players or couples have entered. Let’s take a closer look at what we can look forward to.

Men’s singles
This promises to be a spectacle. No less than 13 of the world’s op 25 players will play, among them three of last year’s four semifinalists. India’s Lakshya Sen takes the top spot, but Taipei’s Chia Hao Lee and France’s Arnaud Merkle are close behind. Asian U17-champion Kunlavut Vittidsarn from Thailand will also be a player to watch. And ofcourse there are many many more young men trying to make an impression in Haarlem. It will be top class all week.

Women’s singles
Top seed is world number two, Jia Min Yeo of Singapore. This will be her last chance, after unfortunately having to pull out injured last year. She is already making an impact on senior level, having won the Vietnam Open GP. Competition will come from a lot of girls who have made the step up from the U17-circuit. Asian champion Pattarasuda Chaiwan from Thailand and European champion Line Christopherson from Denmark are perhaps the biggest challengers. But traditionally Japan and Korea will also be strong contenders.

Men’s doubles
Indonesia’s Rinov Rivaldy is ranked number one in the world, but not even top seed. He is playing with a relatively unknown new partner, so top spot goes to India. Krashna Prasad Garaga and Dhruv Kapila will try to live up to the expectations. However, they will not be given any time to ease into the tournament, as the draw produced a difficult match for them against Hauke Graalman and Leo Rossi (Germany & France) who cannot be underestimated. Second seeded Swedes Adam Gozzi and Carl Harrbacka also face fierce competition in their opening round, having to play Hong Kong’s Chan Yik Chak and Ko Shing Hei.

Women’s doubles
Clear favourites for the title are Indonesia’s Serena Kani and jauza Fadhila Sugiarto. It is their first international appearance together, but being ranked one and three in the world indicates that they have quality to spare. Asia seems to be dominant in this event, which has been an Japan vs Korea battle over the past few editions. But Denmark and France have some high seeded players who can cause trouble for any opponent.

Mixed doubles
More Indonesian favourites! Rinov Rivaldy and Angelica Wiratama are also a newly formed double, so perhaps someone could profit from their lack of courttime together. However, these players are also already making an impact on senior level, and you do not get seeded first unless you are world class. England’s second seeded Callum Hemming and Fee Teng Liew will be full of confidence after their recent Iceland International victory. The draw has placed almost all of Denmark’s mixed double against Asian opposition, so we expect fireworks from round one onwards!

Come and watch the action, free of charge, Wednesday March 1st - Saturday March 4th, daily from 10.00-±21.00h. Semi finals and finals on Sunday March 5th, from 10.00 - 16.00h. Duinwijckhall, Badmintonpad 1, Haarlem.