With only two matches standing between players and the Northern Marianas International 2025 finals, the stakes were high today in Saipan.
Between the gruelling three-game matches and emotional comebacks, the quarter finals and semi finals were not short on excitement.
Here’s your daily recap:
QUARTER FINALS
First up were the mixed doubles. Australia’s Jayden Lim and Victoria Tjonadi kept composed throughout the match secure Oceania’s first semi finalists. They beat New Zealand’s Eric Lu and Josephine Zhao 21-16, 21-8 in the first match of the day.
In the men’s singles, Huan Kai Hern (MAS) and Park Sang Yong (KOR) played a three-game thriller on court two. Over 50 minutes, the opponents traded leads several times. In the end, it was Park Sang Yong that came away with the win (18-21, 21-7, 21-18)
On the next court, Number one seed, Kim Byung Jae (KOR) faced compatriot Choi Jihoon. Choi sprung to an early lead. With perfectly timed shots and precise hits he took the first game comfortably. However, the number one seed found his footing in the second and third to book his spot in the semis with a 13-21, 21-7, 21-12 win.
Women’s singles saw the predicted players all progress to the next round. Number one seed, Park Ga Eun (KOR) stepped on the court against Australia’s Faye Huo. Despite the young Aussie playing some competitive rallies, she could not convert points, and Park cruised to a 21-10, 21-9 win.
In the men’s doubles, VICTOR Oceania Junior Champions, Raphael Deloy and Lezhi Zhu stunned the crowd, taking down Chien Hsun Cho and Hsueh Chien Chuang (TPE) in a three-game match. After going down 14-21 in the first game, the Kiwis rallied back to take the remaining two games, 21-14, 21-14.
Kim Min Ji and Ye Na Lee (KOR) closed out their women’s doubles match against Shu-Yu Wen and Yi An Yan (TPE) in less than 25 minutes. The pair surged to an early lead and continued the intensity to win 8-21, 16-21.
Notably, three of our winners from the VICTOR Oceania Junior Championships progressed to the next round, providing them with invaluable experience in high-level competition.
These are:
- MD: Raphael Deloy and Lezhi Zhu (NZL)
- WD: Mimi Ngo and Maureen Wijaya (AUS)
- XD: Jayden Lim and Victoria Tjonadi (AUS)
Semi Finals
Mixed Doubles
Kim Jae Hyeon and Kim Min Ji (KOR) faced Australia’s Jayden Lim and Victoria Tjonadi. The VICTOR Oceania Junior Mixed Double Champions put their best foot forward, but the Koreans’ experience proved to be too much. Despite losing 12-21, 12-21, Lim and Tjonadi were proud of their tournament run.
“This tournament has really helped me develop as an athlete because as juniors we don’t get many opportunities to compete on a senior stage. I’ve learned a lot and been very inspired by all these players.” — Victoria Tjonadi (AUS)
On the other court, number one seeds Akira Koga and Yuho Imai (JPN) ruined the chances of an all-Korea final. They defeated Lee Sang Won and Ye Na Lee in a tight 21-18, 21-15 match.
Women’s Singles
Park Ga Eun (KOR) forced a three-game match against Thailand’s Saeheng Tonrug. Tonrug, who has taken out several big names from the competition, looked composed as she took the first game. However, the number one seed fought back, to win the second game by the slimmest of margins. In the end, it was Park that emerged victorious, winning the 69-minute match 13-21, 21-19, 21-19.
Meanwhile, Korea’s Lee Soyul and Kim Min Sun battled for the other spot in the finals. The opponents were inseparable throughout the majority of the match, trading leads and clawing back deficits regularly. Kim’s strength prevailed, and she earned her place on the court tomorrow with a 21-19, 21-19 win.
Men’s Singles
It was an all-Korea semi final. On Court One, Cho Geonyeop (2) faced Park Sang Yong. During the entire match it was impossible to predict who was going to win. After a pure display of grit and tenacity, it was the second seed who secured the win (20-22, 21-19).
On Court Two, number one seed, Kim Byung Jae (1) faced Yoo Tae Bin (3). After taking the first game, Kim looked ready to secure the second too, however, Yoo dug deep to claw back the score. With this momentum, the third seed closed out the final game to find himself in the finals. The final score was (18-21, 21-15, 21-16).
Men’s Doubles
Number one seeds, Kim Jae Hyeon and Lee Sang Won (KOR) met Yudai Nagafuchi and Kota Ogawa (JPN) on Court Two. The Korean pair surged to an early lead, taking the first game 21-13. The Japanese duo rushed to win the second game but they were too late. Kim and Lee ran away with the match, winning the second game 21-19.
New Zealand’s only semi finalists, Raphael Deloy and Lezhi Zhu, faced Japan’s Naoya Kawashima and Akira Koga. After comfortably winning the first game (21-11), the Japanese pair found themselves trailing the Kiwis early in the second. Despite this, they remained calm to win the second game (21-12) and clinch a spot in the final.
Women’s Doubles
VICTOR Oceania Junior Champions, Mimi Ngo and Maureen Wijaya (AUS) faced Korea’s Jang Eun Seo and Kim Yu Jung. The Koreans’ experience on the international stage showed, as they cruised to a 21-7, 21-6 win over the Australians.
Tomorrow is set to be an all-Korean women’s doubles final, after Kim Min Ji and Ye Na Lee beat Japan’s Mikoto Aiso and Momoha Miini convincingly (23-21, 21-15).
