REPEATING HISTORY
Kim Dae Heun, runner-up of the CROWNE PLAZA Northern Marianas Open 2025, will not progress beyond the first round of the CENTURY INSURANCE Saipan International.
In an unlucky draw, Kim went up against the only person he lost to in last week’s competition, Yudai Okimoto (JPN).
The match felt like déjà vu. Much like the final of the CROWNE PLAZA Northern Marianas Open, Kim stormed to an early lead, taking the first game 15-12. Yet, at the beginning of the second, Okimoto showed his class, outmuscling Kim to take the match to three.
In the final game, Okimoto pulled away. He won the match 12-15, 15-12, 15-7.
Oceania Championship Finalists Find Their Footing
After exiting the CROWNE PLAZA Northern Marianas Open 2025 in the first round, two top Oceania men’s singles players, Edward Lau (NZL) and Jack Yu (AUS) had something to prove today.
Jack Yu received a bye and entered the tournament in the round of 32. His match against Tan Yu Xiao (MAS) could not have been any closer. In the end, Yu stretched his opponent just enough to come away with a 17-15, 17-15 win over Tan.
Lau, on the other hand, had to switch his tactics against Jewel Angelo Albo (PHI) to keep himself in the tournament.
“I started a bit slow and he was attacking a lot of the time, I was under pressure,” he said. “In the second and third game, I adapted my game plan and tried to get to the net more.”
It worked. Lau secured the win (10-15, 8-15, 7-15).
“It feels good to win matches against international players. It’s not often I get to play in international tournaments. So, to be able to compete is fun, but winning is even better,” said Lau.
The New Zealander faced Samuel Lee (MAS) in the second round.
Lee sprung into action immediately, with Lau struggling to keep up. The athlete from Malaysia looked ready to close out the match quickly. However, a late surge from Lau saw him storm to a win in the second game.
Riding this momentum, Lau turned the tables in the third game, forcing errors from Lee and building a substantial lead going into the interval. Lee closed the gap, but Lau proved too strong, winning the match 6-15, 15-11, 15-10.
Other Notable Results
- 17-year-old Naishaa Kaur Bhatoye (IND) took down Oceania WS champion, Shaunna Li (NZL), in the women’s singles round of 32 (15-11, 15-12). This is one of Bhatoye’s first appearances on the senior circuit.
- In a 41-minute thriller, Wei Chun Wei/Po Chih Yang (TPE) bested Yudai Nagafuchi/Kota Ogawa (JPN) in the men’s doubles round of 32. The final score was 9-15, 15-13, 15-13.
