Pictured: Winner Womens Doubles – Hsu Ya Ching/Lin Wan Ching (TPE) & Lee Yu Lim/Shin Seung Chan (KOR)
Men’s Singles
Twenty-year-old Liao Jhuo-Fu looked relaxed heading out for his men’s singles final at the CROWNE PLAZA Northern Marianas Open 2023. With a current world ranking of 99 and a World Tour ranking of 63, the player from Chinese Taipei showed grit and determination against his higher ranked opponent, Jeon Hyeok Jin who couldn’t find a way through the unseeded Liao.
- Liao Jhuo-Fu (TPE) vs Jeon Hyeok Jin (KOR) [7] 21-15 21-14
“I knew he was very strong, so I just stayed relaxed and played my game.”
Women’s Singles
It was a dream come true for Kim Ga Ram, who had made her way through qualifying to reach the main draw, then reaching the final of the women’s singles, and her first international title. Playing against the current World Junior Champion, 16-year-old Tomoka Miyazaki had a strong first game win. Even though she was pushed in the second, Miyazaki kept her cool, with an on-court maturity well beyond her years. Miyazaki could not convert a number of match points, with the ever-challenging Kim having her own plan. In the third game, the youngster could not find any answers to the onslaught from Kim, having to settle for runner up this time.
- Kim Ga Ram (KOR) vs Tomoka Miyazaki (JPN) 15-21 25-23 21-13
“This is my first international win. I was very nervous so just trusted in what my coach advised.”
Mens Doubles
The smiles on the faces of Wei Chun Wei and Wu Guan Xun told the story of their win at the CROWNE PLAZA Northern Marianas Open 2023, having to take the match to three games. The left- and right-handed combination of Jin Yong and Na Sung Seung showed glimpses of hope as they stayed within reach however the pair from Chinese Taipei seemed more motivated. Ending the match in spectacular style, Wei Chun Wei and Wu Guan Xun, having played together for six years, sealed the win and their first international title.
- Wei Chun Wei/Wu Guan Xun (TPE) vs Jin Yong/Na Sun Seung (KOR) 21-15 15-21 21-18
Women’s Doubles
The finals began with a match that had the crowd on their feet and in rapturous applause at the display of skill, tenacity and deception from the players in the women’s doubles final. There was not much separating the two pair throughout the match, with each of the three games being won by no more than three points. At times, Lee Yu Lim and Shin Seung Chan got their noses in front, only for Hsu Ya Ching and Lin Wan Ching to shut them down. However, in the second game Hsu and Lin took their foot off the pedal, allowing the Korean duo back in. The Chinese Taipei players kept their cool after being taken to extension in the third game, claiming their first win in 2023.
- Hsu Ya Ching/Lin Wan Ching (TPE) [1] vs Lee Yu Lim/Shin Seung Chan (KOR) [4] 21-19 18-21 22-20
“Very happy with the win. All our competitors are strong in these tournaments.”
Mixed Doubles
The strong and formidable pair of Wang Chan and Shin Seung Chan play together as if they are a seasoned partnership. This is in fact only their third tournament as a mixed doubles pair, but it didn’t show as they dispatched Hashiru Shimono and Miku Shigeta in straight games. A crowd favourite, Wang and Chin managed to lift their game as the faithful followers grew louder in their support. They will be looking for a repeat at next week’s TakeCare Saipan International 2023.
Wang Chan/Shin Seung Chan (KOR) vs Hashiru Shimono/Miku Shigeta (JPN) 21-13 21-15
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Next Week
Many of the players from this week’s tournament will not play in the TAKECARE Saipan International 2023. Play commences on Tuesday 13 June and all matches on courts one and two will be available to watch on Badminton Oceania’s YouTube channel.
