All eyes are on Thailand this month as we will be treated to three high-level tournaments in a row. After a lot of hard work and tough protocols, we are ready to go. Here is what we can look forward to in the women’s doubles.
Open draw
As in the men’s doubles, the number one seeds are not present. Yuki Fukushima/ Sayaka Hirota along with the number two and eight seeds are not able to play due to the positive COVID-19 case within the Japanese team.
This opens up the draw for other pairs, however, another notable absence is the European Champions, Gabriela and Stefani Stoeva. Despite this, several European pairs are aiming to capitalise on this opportunity.
The recently returning French duo of Emilie Lefel and Anne Tran are hoping to get things going again in Thailand. It will be 30 playing 32 in the world when they face off with Indonesian pair Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti/ Ribka Sugiarto. The one time they played, the young Indonesians won comfortable, 21-11, 21-11 at the 2019 Hyderabad Open.
Another French pair in Margot Lambert/ Vimala Heriau will have their work cut out against 14 in the world Malaysians, Chow Mei Kuan/ Lee Meng Yean.
A year already?
It is hard to believe that a year has gone by since Maiken Fruergaard/ Sara Thygesen had their stellar run to the Indonesia Masters final and were in touching distance to the title. If seasonal patterns are anything to go by, they may be in for a good run in Thailand.
The Danes opening round will be against Egyptians Doha Hany/ Hadia Hosny and will then likely play the winner of England’s Chloe Birch/ Lauren Smith. The highest-ranked European pair in Thailand were initially due to play the number eight seeds from Japan, Matsuyama/ Shida.
Similarly, the other Danish pair of Alexandra Bøje/ Mette Poulsen swerve the prospect of facing the double World Champions Mayu Matsumoto/ Wakana Nagahara and may receive a bye.
Another pair of note include Germany’s Linda Efler and Isabel Herttrich. The latter, much like her mixed doubles partner Mark Lamsfuss, will hope to continue her great form from the end of last year, winning the Denmark Open and becoming a runner-up at the SaarLorLux Open.
The tournament will take place 12-17 January 2021.
A video outlining the protocols BWF and local organisers have put in place can be watched here.
For the full draw and fixtures, click here.