Pictured: Jia Wei Joel Koh, Singapore. Photo credit: Luis Veniegra Photograpy
Two fiery mixed doubles matches opened proceedings in tonight’s semifinals – a discipline which has been dominated by players from Chinese Taipei at this week’s YONEX Sydney International 2022. While Po and Chang won their game in two, the drama was unfolding on the court beside them as Chen and Yang ousted their more favoured teammates and third seeds, Chang and Lee.
- Chen Xin-Yuan/Yang Ching Tun (TPE) vs Chang Ko-Chi/Lee Chih Chen (TPE)[3] 21-19 22-24 21-16
Next up on court, Singapore’s Jia Wei Joel Koh caused a huge upset as he denied the top seed and Tokyo 2020 Olympian, Jason Anthony Ho-Shue, a place in tomorrow’s final. It will be a first International Series Final for Jia, who will no doubt walk onto court with plenty of confidence in the clash against the second seed on Sunday.
- Jia Wei Joel Koh (SGP)[7] vs Jason Anthony Ho-Shue (CAN)[1] 21-12 21-15
“I think that was very good, that was finally a breakthrough for me. Actually that was the first time I have played him and this will be my first final. My game plan is working one hundred percent and I have adapted to the court well with these fast shuttles. I will watch my opponent and prepare my game plan to face him [tomorrow]”, says Jia.
Malaysia’s Wong Ling Ching got off to an impressive start on her quest to cause another seeded casualty. After taking the first game 21-13, her opponent Chen Su Yu had to rethink her tactics and returned to court with an injection of pace to outwit Wong and claim her revenge. She will face fellow compatriot and first seed, Sung Shuo Yun in tomorrow’s final.
- Chen Su Yu (TPE)[4] vs Wong Ling Ching (MAS) 13-21 21-14 21-13
The trend extended into the women’s doubles too, with all four pairs representing Chinese Taipei. Both semifinals were relatively one sided, with the second seeds (Chang and Yang) playing patiently to book their spot, while Sung and Yu took only 22 minutes to defeat their teammates.
- Chang Ching Hui/Yang Ching Tun (TPE)[2] vs Peng Li Ting/Tung Ciou-Tong (TPE) 21-13 21-16
- Sung Shuo Yun/Yu Chien Hui (TPE) vs Chiu Pin-Chian/Jiang Yi-Hua (TPE)
The men’s doubles became the only discipline to see the top two seeds get through to tomorrow’s final. The first seeds from Canada showed no signs of intimidation against the Chinese Taipei powerhouses roaming around Sydney’s Olympic Park, winning in two relatively comfortable games.
- Adam Dong/Nyl Yakura (CAN)[1] vs Chang Ko-Chi/Po Li-Wei (TPE)[4] 21-11 21-16
Meanwhile the second seeds from Chinese Taipei opened with a menacing and flawless game to take the lead all the way up until 11-0 against Australia’s Kenneth and Andika. While the score margin became closer after the first interval, the deception and tenacity of Lee and Lee ultimately carried them through to the finish line in two games.
- Fang-Chih Lee/Fang-Jen Lee (TPE)[2] vs Kenneth Choo/Andika Ramadiansyah (AUS) 21-10 21-17
View all results from today’s semifinals on Tournament Software – click here to view.
The finals will begin at 10am (AEDT) on Sunday 9 October 2022. All matches will be available to watch on the live stream (also available after the completion of matches), via Badminton Oceania’s YouTube Channel.
Photos, videos and more content from the quarterfinals are available to view on Badminton Oceania’s Facebook page. Join the conversation by using the hashtag #SydneyInternational22
