Oceania began the semi-finals in Bendigo with three doubles pairs still in contention. By the end of the day, one remained. Nozomi Shimizu and Andika Ramadiansyah are into the mixed doubles final, while the rest of the draw has become a Chinese Taipei showcase with a strong Indian presence in the men’s singles.
Shimizu and Ramadiansyah book a final
Australia’s top-seeded Shimizu and Ramadiansyah were efficient in the mixed doubles, defeating Lin Ting-Yu and Tsai Ruo Lin 21-15, 21-19 in 33 minutes. A week after winning the MAXX North Harbour International, they are back in a final.
Speaking to Badminton Australia, the pair were already looking ahead. “Last week we became champions, and this week we can go to the final again,” they said. “Hopefully we will be champions again.”
They have been playing together for almost two years. “Our communication is getting better,” they said. “It will be better and better after this.”
Some of that communication happens without a word. “Even though we don’t talk, we can communicate,” one of them said.
As for the final: “We will see who the opponent is first,” they said. “Then we will review tonight, maybe set the plan, and see how tomorrow ends.”
Their opponents will be Lin Bing-Wei and Lin Yen Yu, who came from a game down to defeat Huang Tsung-I and Wang Yi Zhen 15-21, 21-17, 21-14 in 51 minutes. The pair also eliminated Australia’s Michael Owen and Gronya Somerville in the quarter-finals.
Owen/Yu’s run ends; Edison/Lee out by walkover
Michael Owen and Jack Yu’s men’s doubles run ended against the second seeds Huang Tsung-I and Lin Ting-Yu, who won 21-8, 21-9 in 24 minutes.
Australia’s Keith Mark Edison and Malaysia’s Samuel Lee did not play their semi-final, with Shao Hua Chiu and Lin Bing-Wei advancing by walkover. Chiu and Lin will meet Huang and Lin Ting-Yu in the final.
Singles finals set
In the men’s singles, India’s Ansh Negi came from a game down to defeat Ting Yen-Chen 12-21, 21-17, 21-19 in 1 hour 12 minutes, the longest semi-final of the day. Negi also knocked out top seed Wang Po-Wei in the quarter-finals. He will face the second seed Liao Jhuo-Fu, who defeated Chiang Tzu Chieh 21-17, 21-14.
In the women’s singles, top seed Tung Ciou-Tong is through after Indonesia’s Kyla Legiana Agatha retired, with Tung leading 21-8, 5-5. She will play the fourth seed Liao Jui-Chi, who came from a game down to defeat Shu-Yu Wen 21-11, 11-21, 21-14.
Women’s doubles and a busy finals day
Chia En Chung and You Zhu Wang defeated the second seeds Hsieh Mi Yen and Yu Chien Hui 21-18, 17-21, 21-17 in 49 minutes. They will meet Liao Jui-Chi and Lin Yen Yu, who defeated Yi Tsen Hsieh and Jui-Yi Hsu 21-16, 21-14.
That sets up a heavy day for several players. Liao Jui-Chi plays both the women’s singles and women’s doubles finals, Lin Yen Yu plays both the women’s doubles and mixed doubles finals, and Lin Bing-Wei plays both the men’s doubles and mixed doubles finals.
Finals line-ups
Mixed doubles: Shimizu/Ramadiansyah (AUS) v Lin Bing-Wei/Lin Yen Yu
Men’s doubles: Huang Tsung-I/Lin Ting-Yu v Shao Hua Chiu/Lin Bing-Wei
Women’s doubles: Chia En Chung/You Zhu Wang v Liao Jui-Chi/Lin Yen Yu
Women’s singles: Tung Ciou-Tong v Liao Jui-Chi
Men’s singles: Ansh Negi (IND) v Liao Jhuo-Fu
Finals begin at 10am local time. Find out more information about the event here.
