If the energy of semifinals was a sample of what to expect on finals day tomorrow, it is going to have an atmosphere not to be missed.
With the imminent finals day tomorrow, the tension was high amongst the players on court today. Many seeds exited the tournament today as the pressure moved up a gear. Players took their chances and pushed each other to what seemed like never ending rallies.
Standing
With only two matches featuring Oceania players on court today, it was a long wait until the end of the session to see how they would fare.
Women’s doubles pair, Carrie Wilson and Caitlin Dransfield had a large hurdle to overcome when they played the second seeds from India. After a win at the recent VICTOR Oceania Para Badminton Championships, they were showing good form leading into this match, however their slick opposition had too many answers.
Meanwhile Wojtek Czyz and Corrie Robinson stood a great chance against their Indian opponents. Keeping the match close throughout, it was only in the latter stages of each game that they let the lead slip away.
WD – SL 3 – SU 5: Manasi Goshi/Thulasimanthi Murugesan (IND) [2] def Caitlin Dransfield/Carrie Wilson (NZL) 21-10 21-11
MD – SL 3 – SL 4: Nehal Gupta/Naveen Sivakumar (IND) def Wojtek Czyz/Corrie Robinson (NZL) 21-16 21-16
The mixed doubles standing pair from Indonesia could not hold off the constant attack from India who used their height and net skills to overcome their opponents.
- XD – SL 3 – SU 5: Kumar Nitesh/Thulasimathi Murugesan (IND) def Hikmat ramdani/Leani Oktila (INA) [1] 21-16 18-21 21-10
Helle Sagoey never seemed to settle into her semifinal match, ultimately losing the opportunity to progress to the finals. In the SU 5 class it was an all-Japanese match up which would ultimately secure their country a player in the final come Friday. The second seed had more drive and determination to upset her compatriot.
- WS – SL 4: Leani Oktila (INA) def Helle Sofie Sagoey (NOR) [1] 18-21 21-3 21-18
- WS – SU 5: Mamiko Toyoda (JPN) [2] def Kaede Kameyama (JPN) [1] 17-21 21-10 21-16
The wheelchair men’s semifinal between number one seeds Malaysia and Korea produced exciting rallies that kept the crowd entertained. The Malaysian’s held off a charge from the Korean’s, led by Lee Sam Seop in a match that went for 59 minutes. Lee, a former silver medalist at the 2020 Paralympic Games (WH 1) was also awarded the BWF Male Para Badminton Player Of The Year in 2015.
- MD – WH 1 – WH 2: Noor Azwan Noorlan/Muhammad Ikhwan Ramli (MAS) [1] def Kim Kyung Hoon/Lee Sam Seop (KOR) 17-21 21-17 21-19
Finals begin at 9am on Friday 6 October. All matches on court one (Standing) and court one (Wheelchair) will be available to watch on live stream, while news and results from the event will be available to view on our website and Facebook page. Join the conversation using #WAPI23
Streaming Links
Friday 6 October
Standing Court 1
Wheelchair Court 1
