Pictured: Lee Yu Lim/Shin Seung Chan (KOR)
From the first match on day four of the CROWNE PLAZA Northern Marianas Open 2023, the atmosphere was electric as the men’s and women’s doubles began the show.
It was predicted that Jin Yong and Na Sung Seung (KOR) would have a fight on their hands against the experienced Lee brothers from Chinese Taipei. A formidable pair, Fang Chih Lee and Fang-Jen Lee [3] began strong, but soon the unforced errors started creeping in. Jin and Na pounced on the chance to pile on the pressure taking the win to progress to the quarter finals.
Another seed to tumble was experienced campaigners Dong Adam and Nyl Yakura [2]. In their first appearance at this event, the Canadian pair, with a world ranking of 39, seemed to be caught off guard by the considerably lower ranked Japanese pair of Kakeru Kumagai and Kota Ogawa. Kumagai and Ogawa, with a world ranking of 299, took every opportunity to get their noses ahead and stay there for a big upset.
- Jin Yong/Na Sung Seung (KOR) vs Fang Chih Lee/Fang-Jen Lee (TPE) [3] 21-17 21-13
- Kakeru Kumagai/Kota Ogawa (JPN) vs Dong Adam (Xingyu) (CAN) [2] 21-19 21-16
The men’s doubles semifinalists have been decided and what an exhibition they put on. The vocal pair of Kim Young Hyuk and Wang Chan silenced Kang Ko-Chi and Po Li-Wei while Wei Chun Wei and Wu Guan Xun bundled out fourth seeds Shuntaro Mezaki and Haruya Nishida.
- Kim Young Hyuk/Wang Chan (KOR) vs Chang Ko-Chi/Po Li-Wei (TPE) 21-17 21-17
- Wei Chun Wei/Wu Guan Xun (TPE) [4] vs Shuntaro Mezaki/Haruya Nishida (JPN) 21-19 21-15
The women’s doubles travelled a course of domination by Chinese Taipei with six of the eight pairs from this nation. The other two countries represented were Japan and Korea. By the time the semifinalists were determined, it was down to two, Chinese Taipei and Korea. The powerhouse pair of Lee Yu Lim and Shin Seung Chan were not pushed as they booked their spot in tomorrow’s semifinals. Unfortuately, the two women’s doubles pairs from Ocenaia were unable to progress past the round of 16.
- Lee Yu Lim/Shin Seung Chan (KOR) [4] vs Sayaka Habora vs Yui Suizu (JPN) 21-12 21-12
The two most notable pair playing in the mixed doubles quarter finals was the only seed left in the draw and a pair who came through qualifying. The latter, Shuntaro Mezaki and Hina Osawa gave their compatriots a scare taking the first game to extension. Still in the hunt and looking to progress in the draw, they played valiantly, but were unable to push past Hiroki Nishi and Akari Sato.
Wu Guan Xun and Yang Chu Yun [5] had a more straightforward road to the semifinals, with a straight game win over Chen Cheng Kuan and Hsu Yin-Hui.
- Hiroki Nishi/Akari Sato (JPN) vs Shuntaro Mezaki/Hina Osawa (JPN) 24-22 21-16
- Wu Guan Xun/Yang Chu Yu (TPE) [5] vs Chen Cheng Kuan/Hsu Yin-Hui (TPE) 21-16 21-16
Gho Geonyeop’s hope to secure a semifinal spot came crashing down after his illustrious win against the number one seed Kevin Cordon the previous day. Up against Liao Jhuo-Fu, the struggle was real for the Korean, going down in two straight games. In a thrilling three game match, Su Li Yang had to dig deep to overcome a Koo Takahashi. Also clipping his ticket to the semifinals is Riku Hantano [6] who overcame a challenging Chi Yu Jen [2]. Unfortunately, Lee Yun Gyu (KOR) had to retire from his match against compatriot Jeon Hyeok Jin (KOR).
- Liao Jhuo-Fu (TPE) vs Cho Geonyeop (KOR) 21-17 21-8
- Su Li Yang (TPE) [4] vs Koo Takahashi (JPN) [8] 21-10 13-21 21-10
- Riku Hantano (JPN) [6] vs Chi Yu Jen (TPE) [2] 21-16 21-16
Sung Shuo Yun, seeded number one, was pushed throughout her singles match against Manami Suizu. In the second game however, things got very tense as the Japanese player went point for point with Yun, not giving up on her dream to make the semifinals. There were unbelievably long rallies with the match moving past the one hour mark with only two games being played. Unfortunately, it was not the end that Suizu had hoped for, with a marathon second game loss that nearly went the distance.
Meanwhile, unseeded Kim Ga Ram was forced to work over three games to earn her place in the semifinals over Thi Anh Thu Vu.
- Sung Shuo Yun (TPE) [1] vs Manami Suizu (JPN) 21-19 29-27
- Kim Ga Ram (KOR) vs Thi Anh Thu Vu (VIE) 20-22 21-7 21-16
- Sim Yu Jin (KOR) [2] vs Asuka Takahashi (JPN) 21-18 21-19
Check out all results from day four of the CROWNE PLAZA Northern Marianas Open 2023 on Tournament Software.
All matches on courts one and two are available to watch live and free via Badminton Oceania’s YouTube channel – click here to watch.
Day three starts with the men’s and women’s doubles at 1pm local time (GMT+10). Follow the latest news and find out more on Badminton Oceania’s Facebook page.
