In a compelling showdown at the Swiss Open 2026, Indonesian badminton star Anthony Ginting, ranked 51st in the world, was defeated by Japan’s Yuji Tanaka, world number 20, in the men’s singles semifinal. The high-stakes match, held at St. Jakobshalle in Basel on Sunday, March 15, saw Tanaka emerge victorious in straight games with final scores of 21-17 and 21-12. This result further solidifies Tanaka’s advantage in their head-to-head encounters, which now stand at 2-1.
The opening game saw Anthony Ginting display a promising start, showcasing his characteristic aggressive style. He quickly established an early lead, going up 2-0 before extending it to 7-3. However, the Japanese representative, Yuji Tanaka, demonstrated remarkable resilience, mounting a swift comeback to level the scores at 7-7. Despite this resurgence from Tanaka, Ginting managed to regain a slight advantage, heading into the mid-game interval with an 11-9 lead.
Following the interval, Ginting continued to hold the upper hand, maintaining his dominance and extending his lead to a comfortable 17-12. Yet, the momentum dramatically shifted at this critical juncture. Tanaka capitalized on this turn, launching an relentless offensive that put Ginting under immense pressure. The Indonesian star found himself with virtually no room to maneuver, as Tanaka seized control and ultimately closed out the first game 21-17.
The second game unfolded with a strikingly similar pattern. Anthony Ginting again started with proficiency, establishing an early 7-4 lead. However, Tanaka was quick to respond this time, swiftly closing the gap to equalize at 8-8. The Japanese shuttler then managed to carry his momentum through to the interval, leading 11-9.
As the second game progressed, Ginting appeared increasingly under duress, committing a number of unforced errors. He struggled to find any opening or strategy to reverse the growing momentum held by Tanaka, who seemingly had a firm grasp on Ginting’s various tactics. This tactical understanding, combined with Ginting’s struggles, allowed Tanaka to relentlessly pull ahead, with scores reaching 12-9, 16-10, and 19-11, before ultimately securing the game and the match with a dominant 21-12 victory.