Pictured: Buwaneka Goonethilleka, Sri Lanka. Photo credit: @jbmedia_perth (Instagram)
The day opened with a number of three-game thrillers as the Chinese Taipei whitewash of the Women’s Singles brought some thrilling performances to Kingsway Indoor Stadium in Perth.
- Yang Yu-Chi (TPE) vs Huang Yu-Hsun (TPE) 21-11 13-21 21-19
- Hung En-Tzu (TPE)[5] vs Chen Li (TPE) 21-11 16-21 21-15
Sri Lankan’s Sachin Dias and Buwaneka Goonethilleka followed this up with two more close encounters against their seeded opponents. Goonethilleka was fortunate to overcome the Australian sixth seed, while Dias let slip in the third game to exit in the Quarter-Finals.
- Liu Wei Chi (TPE)[8] vs Sachin Dias (SRI) 19-21 21-17 21-9
- Buwaneka Goonethilleka (SRI) vs Keith Edison (AUS)[6] 16-21 21-16 21-13
Legendary badminton player, Tan Boon Heong, has partnered with Shia Chun Kang, to form the second seeds in the Men’s Doubles. This morning, they took on the Champions from last week’s Australian Junior International, conjuring an entertaining display with dives, rackets changes and deceptive skill, but ultimately it was the experienced Malaysian’s who came out on top.
- Shia Chun Kang/Tan Boon Heong (MAS)[2] vs Chen Zhi Ray/Cheng Kai Wen (TPE) 21-19 21-13
Australia’s Julian Lee and Hongyuan Wong became the only Australian’s to make it through to the Semi-Finals in any discipline. The pair were dealt a lucky draw straight through to today’s Quarter-Finals following a bye and a withdrawal, but still managed to find their form in their first match together.
Meanwhile, fellow compatriots Dawson Lawrence and Timothy Sentosa put on a compelling performance against the first seeds and far more experienced Sri Lankans.
- Julian Mao Lun Lee/Hogyuan Wong (AUS) vs Michael Chan/Sonic Lee (AUS) 22-20 21-14
- Sachin Dias/Buwaneka Goonethilleka (SRI) vs Dawson Lawrence/Timothy Sentoas (AUS) 21-15 21-13
Australia showed potential in the Mixed Doubles, with four pairs making it through to today’s Quarter-Finals. The first two Mixed Doubles games came to a frustratingly close end for the Australian duo’s, with tense rallies and consistently close scorelines which could have seen either side through to tonight’s Semi-Finals.
- Ming Kang Tan/Wen Xin Tang (MAS) vs Athi Selladurai/Claudia Lam (AUS)[3] 21-19 21-19
- Kok Xian Tan/Kha Yan Wong (MAS)[2] vs Jacob Schueler/Louisa Ma (AUS) 21-15 21-19
Check out all results from today’s Quarter-Finals on Tournament Software.
The Semi-Finals will take place from 4pm (local time GMT+8) on Saturday 7 September.
Watch the action live from court one and two on OVO.
