Pictured: Hsuan-Yu Wendy Chen. Photo Credit: Luis Veniegra Photography
The regional reigning champion from Australia, Wendy Chen, was the first shock exit on day two of competition as she struggled to find her form in Sydney.
Similarly, the third seed from USA wasn’t able to push past her talented opposition from Chinese Taipei, leaving the top half of the Women’s Singles draw wide open for the talented youngsters from Chinese Taipei.
- Eoon Qi Xuan (MAS) vs Hsuan-Yu Wendy Chen (AUS)[4] 21-16 21-10
- Yu Chieh (TPE) vs Isabel Zhong (USA)[3] 21-13 21-15
Meanwhile, Australia’s Louisa Ma made up for her first round exit in Perth and Adelaide over the last two weeks as she won in two straight games this afternoon.
- Louisa Ma (AUS)[6] vs Airah Mae Nicole Albo (PHI) 21-19 21-16
Ma still remains in contention for the Oceania Tour title, while the contingent of Oceania’s Men’s Singles players suffered a different fate after a second round exit today and no more opportunities to overtake the current leader, Pit Seng Low.
- Xu Yi Ming (CHN) vs Anthony Joe (AUS)[14] 21-17 21-12
- Gergely Krausz (HUN)[4] vs Jacob Schueler (AUS) 21-11 21-16
Pit Seng Low, Australia. Photo Credit: Luis Veniegra Photography.
Despite bowing out in today’s second round, Australian shuttler Pit Seng Low is still clinging onto the top spot in the Oceania Tour, with New Zealand’s Abhinav Manota still in contention for the prize. Manota eased into the third round following a highly convincing victory over his Australian opponent.
- Chen Chi Ting (TPE) vs Pit Seng Low (AUS) 21-10 21-6
- Abhinav Manota (NZL)[10] vs Austin Chen (AUS) 21-6 21-5
Meanwhile, one of the biggest contests came in the form of Sri Lanka’s Karunaratne and Chinese Taipei Liu Wei Chi. Over 82 excruciating minutes, both players powered through the rallies, burying the shots into the far corners.The seventh seed Sri Lankan appeared to find a second wind towards the end, reluctant to give away the attack and prevailing 21-18 in the third game.
- Niluka Karunaratne (SRI)[7] vs Liu Wei Chi (TPE) 24-26 21-16 21-18
Kiribati’s Tinabora and Teitiria were competing in their third consecutive BWF Grade 3 event in Adelaide, as the pair travelled from the remote islands of Kiribati to increase their international experience. The pair bowed out in the first round, leaving their Australian tour with plenty of learnings.
- Cheng Yu Chieh/Tseng Yu-Chi (TPE) vs Tinabora Tekeiaki/Teitiria Utimawa (KIR) 21-4 21-8
Jonathan Curtin and Dylan Soedjasa, New Zealand. Photo Credit: Luis Veniegra Photography.
New Zealand’s Men’s Doubles pairings enjoyed mixed success this afternoon, with the seventh seeds surviving a huge scare in their lengthy third game. However, Oud and Phillips faced a tough challenge as they struggled to get past the first seeds from Australia.
- Jonathan Curtin/Dylan Soedjasa (NZL)[7] vs Subhash Aroliveettil/Ricky Tang (AUS) 16-21 21-17 29-27
- Simon Wing Hang Leung/Mitchell Wheller (AUS)[1] vs Dhanny Oud/Maika Phillips (NZL) 21-13 21-13
The top seeds remain on track for a potentially epic Trans-Tasman final against New Zealand’s Abhinav Manota and Oliver Leydon-Davis, should both pairs make it all the way. The kiwi duo celebrated a comfortable victory against Tan and Tan from Singapore this evening.
- Oliver Leydon-Davis/Abhinav Manota (NZL)[2] vs De Jun Jackie Tan/Zi Jian Tan (SGP) 21-12 21-13
Check out all results from day two of the Sydney International 2019 on Tournament Software.
Watch the action from courts one and two on day three for free on the live stream, powered by OVO.
