Miwa Harimoto vs Satsuki Odo | WS SF | #WTTChongqing 2026

Really go for the jugular. I suppose what we'll have to look out for is switch the shorter statured Satsuki. That's going to be a big factor here. There's the forehand. She's won two WTT titles. She's looking so good. But right now she's been given a little bit of a table. Divisive with the backhand. There was a lovely cushion. Try and take time away from her opponent. Well she tried it. If you're up against a power player like Odo is. And that is that. Satsuki Odo has done some remarkable things this week and that isn't right at the top of the list. And that's why I say Miwa's IQ is phenomenal. So when Satsuki is on it, she is a bit more dangerous. I think whoever gets to this is going to have their work cut out. To be fair we have seen Miwa Harimoto. I'm just saying there, Fraser, it's especially surprising. We've seen the entourage of the Chinese team here. Wow, battered away. Her standards, she should level. But that is a wonderful exchange from the diminutive Satsuki Odo there. Just so comfortably in control of herself there. Starting with the strawberry and then she gets expansive. She went for a fast service of her own there. Harimoto. So a taste of Satsuki's own medicine. Sees things leveled up here. And she's on the attack right from the start of the third. And probably will. Stunning exchange here. That said, there is a reason why Miwa Harimoto, despite having never taken a champion's title like Odo has, I think she's a little bit more adaptable than Satsuki. So if I read, or I understand what you're saying, we've seen her do this week already. Yeah. Beautiful. It's on her and she's delivering. That is what she's all about. I was going to talk about the Harimoto backhand just a couple of minutes ago and now's a good time to do so because it is formidable. It is the timing. Balances herself with her free arm as well. She did so well because Satsuki was there. We've seen that before. Drastic movements. Bigger compounds. Nine or six. She moved well there. It's a stunning shot down the line from Miwa. Oh, good feeling. Oh, that is unbelievable. You could mow the lawn with that chop. Of the bunch this week. But for all that, nothing wrong with that. By the looks of things there, she gave it a grunt and she powered that ball. And Satsuki takes herself into a 2-1 lead. Encountering there herself. That we see from Sora Matsushima on the men's side. But in terms of the shot making, all or nothing nature. But I think we're going to see more play from Satsuki Yodo into the middle. The crossover of Miwa. She's playing too many balls into the backhand and it's just too easy for Miwa. Pendulum serve. Punished. Whoa. She won't want to go and sit down. She'll want to keep playing because she has played so well in this game. That was one-sided. Who out of China and Japan has the better young player? Miwa against Koi. Unless something happens. And immediately we see it now to just knock her out of her composed state. 4-5. Yeah, we're seeing from Miwa. But we've been spoiled here in Chongqing this week right now. Miwa's going to try keep it down that backhand. Nice. Played the line. Strawberry push from Harimoto. The backhand punch. Two match points. Wide serve. You want to see it with the backhand. She plays the backhand serve. Yodo saves a second match point. Incredible resilience throughout this match but it's getting over the finish line that's the hardest thing to do. Will the third time be the charm for Miwa Harimoto? This sensation of a Japanese junior has set up a clash with Kwaiman. Beaten by Yodo in the final of the Champions Montpellier. Beaten by Hayata in Frankfurt. But maybe, just maybe, today could be the day for her.