The semifinal stage of the MAXX North Harbour International 2025 brought high-stakes intensity and awesome matchups across all disciplines. With every rally and point, players pushed their limits in pursuit of a coveted spot in the finals
Women’s Singles
In the first match of the day, Mikaela Joy De Guzman (PHI) strode onto the court with confidence. After her opening round upset over Chen Su Yu (TPE), De Guzman only looked freer and more energised as the tournament progressed.
Once again, Guzman came into the match as the underdog. Her opponent, Yi En Hsieh (TPE) entered the tournament as fourth seed and had strung together an impressive series of wins in the competition so far. Yet, as De Guzman moved about the court, she commanded control of the game. In just over 30 minutes, the player from the Philippines closed out the match to win 21-12, 21-13.
Australia’s Saena Kawakami also hoped for an upset. Up against the formidable Tung Ciou-Tong (TPE), Kawakami flexed her game IQ, with some clever shots and gutsy moves. However, a few unforced errors gave Tung the opening she needed to run away with the match, winning 21-19, 21-16.
Mixed Doubles
For Australia’s Andika Ramadiansyah and Nozomi Shimizu, the 2024 edition of the MAXX North Harbour International is a tough memory. After making the final of the ROKETTO Sydney International 2024, they showed up to Auckland battling injuries. Unable to play their best, they were determined to go the distance at the tournament this year.
Both mentally and physically, they knew they had to be on top of their game to take down Chinese Taipei’s Lu Wei Hsuan and Tsai Hsin-Pei.
“We prepared well last night for how we wanted to play today. But in the second set we lost our focus because of unforced errors with our serves,” said Ramadiansyah.
After edging out their opponents in the first game, the pair from down under quickly found themselves trailing in the second.
“That’s why we weren’t confident in the second, we couldn’t get points in a row. So we just supported each other and that’s why we ended up winning, ” added Shimizu.
Their trust and communication elevated their game in the third. Ramadiansyah and Shimizu managed to hold off a late charge from Lu and Tsai to book their spot in the final.
The final score was 23-21, 11-21, 23-21.
In an all-Chinese Taipei semifinal, number one seeds Wu Guan Xun/Lee Chia Hsin were ousted by Lin Yu Chieh/Lee Chih Chen 21-17, 21-18.
Women’s Doubles
Lee Chih Chen returned to the court for her second semifinal of the day, this time alongside Lin Yen Yu. However, while Lee and her mixed doubles partner won their match in straight games, she would not be so lucky in her women’s doubles semi.
Their opponents, Ruo Hsuan Ko/Lee Yu-Hsuan, were slightly fresher, which they used to their advantage. Ko and Lee forced their opponents around the court. With long rallies and relentless attacks, eventually Ko and Lee were able to break the second seeds Lee/Lin.
Ruo Hsuan Ko and Lee Yu-Hsuan won the match 21-18, 22-20, 21-16.
After suffering disappointment in the women’s singles, Yi En Hsieh stepped onto the semifinal court once again. Alongside partner Chen Su Yu, she took on Yun Jung Chang and Tsai Ruo Lin. The number one seeds, Chen/Yi, started slow, losing the first game 16-21. As they warmed up into the match, their composure steadied. Chen and Yi closed the match out quickly in the second two games to win 16-21, 21-7, 21-15.
Men’s Singles
The men’s singles semifinals were an all-Chinese Taipei affair, and the top two seeds proved why they are ranked the highest.
Number one seed, Wang Po-Wei continued his dominant campaign to secure his spot in the final with a comfortable 21-17, 21-12 win over compatriot Lu Chia Hung.
Number two seed, Ting Yen-Chen (TPE) also looked strong against Wang Yu-Kai (TPE), winning 21-18, 9-21, 21-15.
Men’s Doubles
Both men’s doubles provided high quality matches. First up, Chinese Taipei’s Su Ching Heng/Wu Guan Xun took on fan favourites, Solomon Jr. Padiz/Julius Villabrille (PHI). WIth the energy from the crowd spurring them on, the pair from the Philippines hoped dig deep to victory, however, it wasn’t meant to be. Despite their best efforts, Su/Wu were unstoppable, and pushed to a 21-14, 21-17 win.
Chen Zhi Ray/Lin Yu Chieh (TPE) faced Yudai Nagafuchi/Kota Ogawa (JPN) in a battle for the last spot in the final. The competition was neck and neck in the first game, with Chen/Lin only just inching ahead to the lead. A lapse in focus from the Chinese Taipei duo gave the Japanese pair ample opportunity to stage a comeback. After taking the second, they were poised to clinch the third. Ye, as number one seeds, Chen/Lin demonstrated their expertise. Strengthening under the growing pressure, they secured their spot winning 21-18, 9-21, 21-15.
