Most of the top seeded players continued to lead the charge throughout day two of the Australian Para-Badminton International.
The number one seeds from Indonesia in the women’s doubles SL 3 – SU 5 competition, Leani Ratri Oktila and Khalimatus Sadiyah Sukohandoko kicked off the doubles events in emphatic style, defeating the Australian duo Anu Francis and Celine Aurelie Vinot 21-5 21-4.
Exhilarating badminton action continued throughout the afternoon with several doubles matches lasting for over 40 minutes! The quick reflexes, steep smashes and rapid net play was demonstrated by the Indian pairing of Pramod Bhagat and Sukant Kadam who overcame the second seeds from Japan Daisuke Fujihara and Toshiaki Suenaga 16-21 21-16 21-13 in 43 minutes.
The dual-national pairing of Phonexay Kinnavong (Austrlia) and Corrie Keith Robinson (New Zealand) put up a solid performance against the first seeds from Indonesia, Dwiyoko Dwiyoko and Fredy Setiawan. In the SL 3 – SL 4 classification, the Oceanian pairing eventually losing 21-18 21-17 against the tournament favourites.
Similarly, the mixed pairing of Tim Haller (German) and Ukun Rukaendi (Indonesia) entered the draw as the third seeds in the SL 3 – SL 4 classification, with Rukaendi currently holding the title of reigning world champion:
“The Spanish player who I usually play with wasn’t able to play so it has been a new challenge to play with Rukaendi. I would like to get higher in the world rankings with the aim of eventually becoming European champion and maybe place on the podium at a future World Championships or Paralympic Games” says Tim.
The pair finished the day with two comfortable wins and one loss against the Indian duo Anand Kumar Boregowda and Kumar Nitesh. The latter leaving the crowd on the edge of their seats as the three games left 40 minutes and ended with a 14-21 21-17 23-21 result.
In the wheelchair badminton classifications, the men’s doubles WH 1 – WH 2 pairing of Jung Man Choi and Jungjun Kim from Korea have shown no sign of losing their first seed status with two comfortable wins against Australian’s Richard Engles and Pradeep Hewavitharana 21-7 21-5, followed by Japan’s Osamu Nagashima and Atsuya Wantanabe 21-12 21-10.
Similarly, Ikumi Fuke of Japan kept her cool on court in the women’s singles WH 1 event. The first seed overcame compatriot, Etsuko Kobayashi 21-16 21-13 and Swiss player Sonja Haesler 21-14 21-5
The results from all one-hundred matches on day two is available to view on Tournament Software.
Day 3 live-streaming is powered by OVO and will be available from 9.30am, local time in Geelong – click here to watch.
