MEN’S SINGLES

Tze Yong Ng (MAS) vs Lee Hyun Il (KOR)[1]

23-21 5-1 Retired

There’s a very bright future ahead for Tze Yong Ng. His first year on the Open circuit after reaching the Quarter-Finals in last year’s BWF World Junior Championships and Badminton Asia Junior Championships, and he’s nearing the end of 2019 with his first BWF International Challenge title.

Despite Lee Hyun Il’s withdrawal at the beginning of the second game, there is little doubt that the junior’s presence on court isn’t matched with extraordinary skill and power, having not dropped a single game this week.

“I had to play a lot of drop shots and make sure I only attacked when I really got behind the shuttlecock as his defense is so good” – Tze Yong Ng

WOMEN’S SINGLES

Natsuki Nidaira (JPN) vs Yukino Nakai

20-22 21-12 21-10

The latter stages of the Women’s Singles was no easy feat for either contender as they both battled through three-game thrillers in the Semi-Finals, and once again in the Final.

Both players committed to the four corners, with Yukino taking the first game, before Natsuki began to retaliate, patiently playing through the long rallies in the hope that Yukino (who also competed in the Women’s Doubles) might tire. As the game progressed, Natsuki’s precision seemed to improve with tumbling net shots and smashes which found the wide lines, leading her to the second title of 2019.

“This win has given me a lot of confidence. My target is to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, so this all helps me work towards my goal” – Natsuki Nidaira

MEN’S DOUBLES

Kim Dukyoung/Kim Sa Rang (KOR) vs Shia Chun Kang/Tan Boon Heong (MAS)

21-14 17-21 21-16

Shia and Tan faced their biggest challenge of the tournament so far, as Tan’s former partner Kim Sa Rang (the pair competed together in many tournaments throughout 2018) became a rival on the opposite side of the net. The Korean’s were never in doubt of taking the title following an impressive performance throughout the week.

Tan’s experience shone through as the Malaysian’s were hungry for the second game, however the Korean’s were persistent in their attack, fast and flat game, winning an essential rally at 19-16 in the third game to set up a match point – which they took on the first time of asking.

“We predicted a long game so we just had to be patient to set up the points from the beginning and make the most of our chances towards the end” – Kim Sa Rang

WOMEN’S DOUBLES

Rin Iwanaga/Kie Nakanishi (JPN)[4] vs Setyana Mapasa/Gronya Somerville (AUS)[1]

21-15 19-21 21-9

The girls from Japan raced off to a one game lead, before Gronya and Setyana pulled it back level in a nail-biting second game. Tension was in the air at 19-19 as a tactical drive serve from Setyana set the girls up for an exhilarating rally, but the unforced error from the Japanese gave the Australian’s a game point, which they took on the first time of asking.

However, the Australian duo weren’t able to carry the momentum through to the decider, as Rin and Kie raced off the a 5-0 lead and upheld a highly impressive defense to take their first title.

“We are happy to win our first title together. We aren’t in the national team yet but we hope the World Ranking points from tournaments like these will help us to break into the team” – Rin Iwanaga

MIXED DOUBLES

Joshua Hurlburt-Yu/Josephine Wu (CAN)[1] vs Dejan Ferdinansyah/Serena Kani (INA)

21-19 25-27 21-16

The four players delivered a highly entertaining match in the Final, employing top Mixed Doubles tactics over three exhilarating games. Throughout the final, Canada’s Josephine Wu was insistent on holding the net to compliment Joshua’s powerful rear court play.

However, the Indonesian’s answered with remarkable defense and challenged the Canadian’s into a third and deciding game. From the beginning of the final game, the Canadian’s were clearly unwilling to give up the attack from the moment they return or serve, eventually earning their place on top of the podium.

“My goal was to take hold of the net and set up the smash for Joshua. He likes to smash and I would cut it off and that’s how our game worked” – Josephine Wu