F | WD | MATSUMOTO/NAGAHARA (JPN) [5] vs G. STOEVA/S. STOEVA (BUL) | BWF 2018

[@karmingtan4059]

This Japanese pair is such a delight to watch. Nagahara’s ability to smash without stopping or losing power is terrific. Her posture and the way she moves her body when she is smashing is like textbook perfect, so much power and efficiency. And she is always so alert and agile, able to rush to the empty space to save the ball or create chances. Not to mention Matsumoto, she has an uncanny sense where the empty space the opposite court is, always drive the shuttle there to do the most damage. She is unmovable when she defends, with a turn of her wrist the shuttle goes to the most unexpected places, she got fantastic flat play, able to intercept the shuttle mid court and force the rally into power play. She is very tall but able to haunt the net so well with clever shot, beautiful racket skill and strong smash. Add in some old-fashioned strong Defence, quick movement, good stamina and versatile rotation, you got a World Champion pair.

[@ChyeHeng17]

Nagahara ability to continue smashing with a lot of power and pace more than 3 timers are just so amazing and Matsumoto court placements and calmness. One of the best women’s doubles attacking players so far. And it’s exciting to have the Stoeva sisters emerged and joined the party. Interesting.

[@DannyMoorhouse97]

Mats/Naga will be soon the N1 WD and reigning at the top of the podiums for many years must say. At the mo they are routing their opponents quite easily, most of their games are one sided spike exhibitions!

[@houhougano2811]

おめでとう！ この二人は特徴あっていいなあ、まだまだ強くなるだろう、活躍が楽しみだ

[@ParanoiaWire]

really happy to see new face in the final, though they did not win looking forward to a better match from u all!!

[@udaygadge6064]

Stoeva sisters have great defense, but trying to be defensive against world champs is suicide. Any one who doesn't watch a lot of WD because it's too long and repitative can watch nagamatsu, they've got that extra spike in their attack unlike other japanese and indonesian pairs.

[@meliling158]

waw love this Japanese pair and they have such good placement

[@abdulraoof1354]

The Bulgarians ability 2 change defense into attack is phenominal

[@abdulraoof1354]

Stoeva needed 2 win the 2nd game. They really deserved.

[@reynaldiplg]

The Stoeva sisters should be More Attacking and Playing Flat like MINIONS, their DEFENSE, Stamina is GREAT, but their SMASHES is not as good as the Japanese....

[@rnmr1122]

Dear Stefani and Gabriela Stoeva, good defense and strong stamina aren't enough. Especially if your enemy is this Japanese pair, you play defense is just like waiting for death picks you up. Try again!

[@JASHBRYANT]

13:33敢不敢重播 又判這樣

[@yanzalhikmah5101]

Good Job Japan

[@rackkimigayo8358]

All out european effort including audience and umpires couldn't derail Japanese pair LOL. Seriously though, Japan should nurture this pair. They are more powerful than Matsutomo/Takahashi and 2020 Tokyo games will be held in slow arena like this. If they got enough experience and mental strength, they are the pair to win.

[@doods20fer41]

agree, this pair is a future world no. 1, younger version of Matsutomo/Takahashi & has more power

[@KKBLAxxx]

Ageed, they have huge potential, they defeated current world no 1 Fuku/Hiro in the last 2 times they met. Their games are so nice to watch with creative shots and power.

[@ChyeHeng17]

Agree...the best women’s doubles attacking player in my opinion as of now. Very attacking style and entertaining. Rather than settling for defensive play.

[@rackkimigayo8358]

@@KOTheWorld Well, I did a little research. Matsutomo/Takahashi did better in smaller (=faster) arenas (Korea, Chanzhou China, Indonesia, Thailand) but in larger (=slower) arenas (All England, Nanjin China, France) they didn't do as good. Fukushima/Hirota, Matsumoto/Nagahara don't seem to have that tendency. (They won/lost in large/small arenas evenly.) And because 2020 Tokyo will be held in large arena (Musashino Forest Plaza), I am afraid they have less chance to win.

[@rackkimigayo8358]

@@KOTheWorld I only did it for 2018. I will do it when I have time but considering the fact that they haven't done well in World Championships or All England (although they won it once?) maybe the trend was there. And they are getting old (and therefore even less powerful.) 2016 Rio's arena looked small to me so maybe it was a fast one (I need to research that too.)

[@skyheart4642]

Cool