QUARTERFINALS
The first match on court on quarterfinals day was an Australian – New Zealand clash in mixed doubles. Number one seeds and hopefuls to represent Australia at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Kenneth Choo and Gronya Somerville didn’t have the best start to their game. Losing narrowly in extension to the young New Zealand pair, they flicked a switch in the second and third games to storm ahead and put their opponents under pressure, resulting in unforced errors.
- Kenneth Zhe Hooi Choo/Gronya Somerville (AUS) [1] def Edward Lau/Shaunna Li (NZL) [8] 20-22 21-12 21-8
After her disappointment at the YONEX Bendigo International 2023, number one seed, Tiffany Ho needed to come out and dominate her women’s singles match. Playing the winner of last week’s tournament, the first game started well with Ho creating a sizable lead, only to have it swallowed up by Yue Yann Jaslyn Hooi (SNG). Even though Ho kept herself in the running throughout the match, it was not enough to secure the win, leaving Hooi to progress to the semifinals.
- Yue Yann Jaslyn Hooi (SGP) def Tiffany Ho (AUS) [1] 21-16 21-17
Second seed, Kai Qi (Bernice) Teoh had her chances of progressing in the draw after winning her first game, however, could not consolidate on the lead she had in the second, losing in extension. Once the player from Maldives got her nose in front, there was no looking back, taking the third game, the match win, and a ticket to the semifinals.
- Fathimath Nabaaha Abdul Razzaq (MDV) def Kai Qi (Bernice) Teoh (AUS) [2] 17-21 22-20 21-12
Set to play Razzaq (MDV) in the semifinal is New Zealander Shaunna Li. Coming off a win against the 16-year-old from Sri Lanka, Li will join fellow New Zealander Edward Lau who also booked his place to the semifinal after a strong and consistent win today.
- Shaunna Li (NZL) [3] def Ranithma Liyanage (SRI) 21-12 21-17
- Edward Lau (NZL) [6] def Saahas Kumar P. (IND) 21-11 21-11
SEMIFINALS
The number one seeds in mixed doubles have booked their place in tomorrow’s final of the Sydney International 2023, but it took three games to get there.
- Kenneth Zhe Hooi Choo/Gronya Somerville (AUS) [1] def Chen Cheng Kuan/Hsu Yin-Hui 21-23 21-17 21-10
23-year-old Korono, formally from Indonesia and now playing for Australia, continued his winning ways, securing his spot in the men’s singles final. In what was set to be a close match, Edward Lau was unable to get his rhythm flowing, ending his time in Sydney.
Nguyen Hai Dang from Vietnam, and number one seed was hopeful in keeping his campaign alive for another day. Ting from Chinese Taipei had other ideas and wore Nguyen down over three games.
- Karono (AUS) def Edward Lau (NZL) [6] 21-12 21-13
- Ting Yen-Chen (TPE) def Nguyen Hai Dang (VIE) [1] 20-22 21-15 21-17
Shaunna Li had the better of her apponent in the first game of the women’s singles semifinal, racing out to a sizeable lead. The player from Maldives came back with some resistance in the second but could not stop the attack from Li who will play Yue Yann Jaslyn Hooi (SGP) in tomorrow’s final women’s singles final.
- Shaunna Li (NZL) [3] def Fathimath Nabaaha Abdul Razzaq (MDV) 21-4 21-16
- Yue Yann Jaslyn Hooi (SGP) def Hsuan-Yu Wendy Chen (AUS) [4] 21-13 21-13
Korea and Chinese Taipei were the only countries competing to make the men’s doubles final in Sydney. After two strong matches, Chinese Taipei came through to take both semifinals and will play each other in tomorrow’s final.
- Chan Yueh Lin/Chu Bo Rong (TPE) [3] def Lee Hong Je/Shin Dong Beom (KOR) 21-13 22-20
- Chen Cheng Kuan/Chen Sheng Fa (TPE) [1] def Lee Sang Ho/Shin Baek Cheol (KOR) [5] 22-20 21-13
The final match on court one for semifinals was all an Australian match up in the women’s doubles. Last weeks winners from the YONEX Bendigo International 2023, Mapasa and Yu had a plan to make it two from two wins, moving one step closer in their win against Chen and Choong. They will play another Australian pair in Kurniawan and Poon who had success over Kashley Kho and Lee (MAS).
- Setyana Mapasa/Angela Yu (AUS) [2] def Hsuan-Yu Wendy Chen/Joyce Choong (AUS) 21-15 21-15
- Sylvina Kurniawan/Poon Lok Yan (AUS) def Tze Yin Kashley Kho/Lee Zi Suen (MAS) 21-19 21-16
Finals are on court one and 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 #SI2023.
Photo Credit: NBC Badminton
