Andika Ramadiansyah/Nozomi Shimizu (AUS) rocked the QuayCentre this evening in a match that had the crowd on their feet.
In the mixed doubles Round of 32 at the SATHIO GROUP Australian Badminton Open 2025, the No. 153 duo faced seventh seeds and world No. 21 pair, Hoo Pang Ron/Cheng Su Yin (MAS)
The Australian pair stumbled through the first game, trailing 21-14. But, the support from their friends and family was contagious. As the cheers spread to all corners of the arena, the players on the court soon felt it too.
“With so many family and friends here I wanted to hit my hit, point by point,” said Ramadiansyah. “I was very nervous, but I tried my best to turn my nerves into fighting spirit–more energy into the court, from my movements, my smashing, everything.”
Their hard work and passion paid off. The hometown pair toppled their opponents to win the match 14-21, 21-16, 21-18.
“I am speechless at the moment. I am really so happy,” said Shimizu. “I was so nervous because before 20 I made a mistake and then [their opponents] caught up. I was so shaky and [Ramadiansyah] just kept telling me ‘it’s ok, one by one’, and I was able to calm myself so we could win.”
Tiffany Ho (AUS) also created her own luck. After a dominant first game, Ho found herself fighting off her opponent late in the second. When the pressure from Roman Cloteaux-Foucault (FRA) continued to rise, the Australian rose to the occasion. She clinched a 21-13, 21-16 win to book her spot in tomorrow’s WS Round of 16.
“I was getting a little tense towards the end of the game. I tried not doing silly mistakes, but they just kept happening,” Ho explained. “I just focused on one point at a time when she started catching up. I knew that I was already over 15 and 15 is where the game starts for me, so I really locked in, I just kept telling myself ‘I’m going to win this set, I just need to focus.’”
Oceania Stars Learn From The Best
Shaunna Li (NZL) was more nervous than normal before she took to the court today. Other than it being a major tournament in her competition calendar, she was facing none other than the World and Olympic champion, An Se Young (KOR).
“I wasn’t expected to play her initially, but then after I got promoted and saw the draw I thought ‘I’m going to have a good match today!’ so I just tried to stay in the rally and enjoy the game and see how things go.”
The Kiwi was challenged every step of the match but playing against someone of Se Young’s level gave Li insight into what she needs to work on.
“A loss always needs work but I think it was a good experience I’ve never played anyone of that calibre so it’s definitely something that I don’t take for granted but more work needs to be done.”
Li was not the only Oceania player to take on one of the global stars.
Australia’s Ricky Tang faced a mammoth task today, opposing world No. 6, Chou Tien Chen (TPE).
“Going into the game I didn’t have any expectations, there was no pressure on me so when I stepped on the court all I wanted to do was perform my best. There was definitely a difference in class and I was shocked by his level, really,”
Nevertheless, Tang strung together a few great rallies to score smart points against Chou. The Australian also saw pressure points that he needs to work on to elevate his game.
“Playing Chou, my weaknesses were exposed a lot. The biggest thing is how unfit I was compared to him. The rallies were so long and he was like a brick wall, I couldn’t get through him. So what I will take home is that I really need to work on my fitness so I can keep up with players like him.”
With his friends and family in the audience cheering for him, the young Australian left the court with a lot to be proud of, despite the score.
“Playing on home soil there was a bit of pressure, with friends and family watching in the audience,” he added. “I wanted to play well for them, and overall it’s been a really good experience.”
A handful of other Oceania athletes have secured their place in the Round of 16.
Men’s Singles: Asher Jing Jie Ooi (AUS)
Women’s Doubles: Alphonsa Bijomon/Xiwen Liang (AUS)
Women’s Singles: Saena Kawakami (AUS)
Global Points of Interest
Michelle Li staged a comeback late in the 3rd game to win over Natsuki Nidaira (JPN) and book her spot in the next round.
Mathias Christiansen/Alexandra Bøje faced Kim Jae Hyeon/Jeong Na Eun for the third time this year. After two unsuccessful attempts to topple the Danes, Kim/Jeong looked ready to push for victory today. After a slow start, they stole the second game and stretched to a substantial lead early in the third. However, the Danish pair’s class was on full display, as Christiansen/Bøje remained composed to rally back from a 11-6 deficit to emerge victorious with a 21-12. 17-21, 21-17 win.
Notably, top MS seed Jonatan Christie (INA) exits the competition early, after a 21-17, 21-7 defeat to Japan’s Yushi Tanaka in his opening match.
Photo via BWF/BadmintonPhoto
