The final day of the YONEX Bendigo International delivered five matches, each with its own pace and turning points. For some, the wins came quickly. For others, it took patience, adjustment, and a few clutch moments under pressure. Beyond the scores, the matches revealed how players manage momentum, respond to challenges, and find ways to close when it counts.
Men’s Doubles
The only final featuring players from different countries turned out to be the most dramatic. Japan’s Masayuki Onodera and Diago Tanioka came in ranked 103 in the world, facing World No. 40 Chen Zhi Ray and Lin Yu Chieh of Chinese Taipei. The Japanese pair took the first game 21-17 and looked ready to close it out. But Chen and Lin didn’t fold. In the third game, they were trailing 14-19–just two points from defeat. From there, they won nine of the next thirteen rallies, saving match points and turning the tide to win 23-21. It was a comeback built on experience and refusal to let go.
Mixed Doubles
Wu Guan Xun and Lee Chia Hsin (TPE) didn’t just win, they shut the door early. From the first rally, they were in control, reading each other’s movements with precision and reacting instantly to any threat. Their opponents, Hung Ming Chen and Yun Jung Chang (TPE), struggled to find space or momentum. Every attempt was met with a response, and the match was over in just 19 minutes: 21-9, 21-8. It wasn’t just about speed, it was about how little they left to chance.
Women’s Singles
Nodoka Sunakawa and Niina Matsuta are both 19, but their match felt like it belonged to players with years more experience. In the all-Japanese final, Sunakawa started strong, taking the first game 21-10 with confident shot-making and sharp movement. Matsuta responded with a shift in tempo and placement, winning the second 21-16. The third game was a test of patience and nerve, and Sunakawa held steady to win 21-15 after 63 minutes.
Men’s Singles
Toma Noda’s (JPN) final against Wang Yu-Kai (TPE) was tight early on. The first game was a back-and-forth battle, with Noda edging it 21-19. But something changed in the second. Noda began to find space, and Wang couldn’t keep up with the pace or placement. The second game flew by–21-7–and with it, Noda claimed the title. The shift wasn’t dramatic, but it was decisive.
Women’s Doubles
Sung Yi-Hsuan and Tsai Hsin Pei (TPE) weren’t the top seeds, but they played with clarity and purpose. Against Lee Chih Chen and Lin Yen Yu, the number one seeds from Chinese Taipei, they found small openings and made them count. The rallies were close, but Sung and Tsai were just a step ahead when it mattered most, winning 21-17, 21-19.
