Pictured: Lu Guang Zu (China). Photo Credit: Choey
In front of a sold out crowd at the Quay Centre, Sydney Olympic Park, the mixed doubles opened proceedings for semifinals day at the SATHIO GROUP Australian Badminton Open 2022.
Indonesia’s Dejan Ferdinansyah and Gloria Widjaja were eyeing up their fifth international final of 2022 and their first in a HSBW BWF World Tour 300 tournament. The pair were fast out of the starting blocks as they took an early lead. However, Jeong made balder decisions to cover the net in the second, complimented by Kim’s phenomenal defense to deny the Indonesian’s a spot in the finals, taking the final game in a highly convincing manner.
- Kim Won Ho/Jeong Na Eun (KOR) vs Dejan Ferdinansyah/Gloria Widjaja (INA) 14-21 21-13 21-8
“In the first game, the Indonesians played a lot of straight shots. After the second, I tried to make Dejan move around the court more and give the shuttle a different direction…The coach was giving us many helpful comments along the way which we followed”, says Kim Won Ho.
Meanwhile, the reigning Olympic mixed doubles Champion (Huang Dong Ping) and her new partner (as of September 2022, Feng Yan Zhe) were eliminated by the more favoured and fourth seeds from Korea. The Koreans established a dominance around the mid and forecourt to seize the game in two.
- Seo Seung Jae/Chae Yu Jung (KOR)[4] vs Feng Yan Zhe/Huang Dong Ping (CHN)[8] 22-20 21-14
Next up on court one, An Se Young became the only first seeded player to book their spot in tomorrow’s final. Oceania holds a strong emotional attachment for An, having won her first World Tour Title in this continent at the New Zealand Open three years ago. Meanwhile, Indonesia’s Georgia Tunjung was elated to book her first final of 2022 after making a courageous comeback to upset the seventh seed from China, Han Yue.
- An Se Young (KOR)[1] vs Pornpawee Chochuwong (THA)[3] 21-16 21-11
- Gregoria Tunjung (INA) vs Han Yue (CHN)[7] 18-21 21-16 21-14
The stars have aligned for Thailand’s Aimsaard sisters who are on the verge of back-to-back HSBC BWF World Tour titles. Two weeks ago they won the HYLO Open 2022 in Germany and today they brought their same form to overwhelm the fifth seeds from Korea.
- Benyapa Aimsaard/Nuntakarn Aimsaard (THA) vs Jeong Na Eun/Kim Hye Jeong (KOR)[5] 21-19 21-18
Tomorrow, they will have to play Chinese sixth seeds, Chang Shu Xian and Zheng Yu. The experienced duo have made six semifinal and three final appearances on the HSBW BWF World Tour this year and have already secured their spot in the HSBC BWF World Tour Finals, but are yet to seize the top podium position this year. Could the SATHIO GROUP Australian Badminton Open 2022 be their first taste of victory in 2022?
- Zhang Shu Xian/Zheng Yu (CHN)[6] vs Lee Chia Hsin/Teng Chun Hsun (TPE) 21-15 21-17
Both men’s doubles semifinals had the audience sat on the edge of their seats as fast and flat exchanges spanned across three electrifying games in each. China’s Liu and Ou booked the first final slot as they held their nerve to save two match points and take the match on their second time of asking. Meanwhile, Malaysian sixth seeds Ong and Teo denied their fellow compatriots the opportunity to seize control of the men’s doubles draw.
- Liu Yu Chen/Ou Xuan Yu (CHN)[8] vs Lee Jhe-Huei/Yang Po-Hsuan (TPE) 12-21 23-21 24-22
- Ong Yew Sin/Teo Ee Yi (MAS)[6] vs He Ji Ting/Zhou Hao Dong (CHN) 14-21 21-17 21-18
Finally, China asserted their dominance in the men’s singles this week. Between today’s two winners, they have defeated the top two seeds en route to the final. For Lu Guang Zu, the impressive form which saw him oust tournament favourite Lee Zii Jia on Thursday has continued throughout the quarter and semifinals, winning each in two convincing games.
Despite his very best efforts, Japan’s Kodai Naraoka narrowly missed out and wasn’t able to prevent a Chinese whitewash in the men’s singles as Shi Yu Qi prevailed in three excruciatingly close games (a similar story to Shi’s victory over second seed, Loh Kean Yew). In his victory, Shi extended his head-to-head tally against Kodai to 2-0, following their only other meet at this year’s Denmark Open 2022 presented by VICTOR.
- Lu Guang Zu (CHN) vs Ng Tze Yong (MAS) 21-18 21-15
- Shi Yu Qi (CHN) vs Kodai Naraoka (JPN) 21-16 16-21 21-19
View all results from the semifinals on Tournament Software.
Day Six – Finals
The finals will begin at 1pm (AEDT) on Sunday 20 November 2022. Follow all results and draws on Tournament Software.
All matches will be available to watch on the live stream via the BWF TV YouTube Channel.
Join the conversation online by using the hashtag #ABO22. More photos from the tournament are available to view in the Photo Albums on Badminton Oceania’s Facebook page.
