The semifinals delivered a fantastic showcase of skill, strategy, and resilience across all categories at the CENTURY INSURANCE Saipan International. From intense singles battles to dynamic doubles matchups, players from Japan, Korea, and India fought hard for a place in the finals. With rematches, upsets, and more standout performances, the stage is now set for an electrifying final day of competition.
WOMEN’S SINGLES:
Tanya Hemanth (IND) was the first to book her spot in the final. Facing Ririna Hiramoto (JPN), Hemanth knew she would have to adjust her approach to the match.
“I knew I was playing more of a doubles player, so I was prepared for long rallies and just knew I had to keep my calm and give my best,” Hemanth explained.
Hemanth took the first game, but Hiramoto refocused to claim the second. The third match was where the player from India looked the most dominant, settling into a comfortable rhythm.
“The 15 points is a very fast-paced game, you have to be ready to go all out from the beginning because it is so short,” she said. “But I always take some time to get used to the opponent and strategise.”
The second semifinal was a competitive showdown between Kanae Sakai and Niina Matsuta, both of Japan. Matsuta edged ahead to take the first game, but Sakai regrouped and responded with a strong second-game performance to level the match. After 51 intense minutes of momentum shifts and determined rallies, Sakai sealed her victory with a hard-earned 8-15, 15-10, 16-14 win.
MEN’S SINGLES
Ba Da Kim (KOR) was off to a roaring start against Riki Takei (JPN). After building a substantial lead early on, Kim looked to power on to win the first game. However, Takei was only just getting started.
Following the interval, the Japanese player came alive, reducing the deficit and storming to a first-game win. From there, there was little Kim could do to stop Takei.
Takei rode the momentum to win the match 15-13, 15-6.
Yudai Okimoto (JPN) held off a late charge from Keita Makino (JPN) to also advance to the final. Okimoto remained composed early on when Makino dictated the pace and waited for his opportunity to change the rhythm of the match. Okimoto won 15-9, 15-13.
MIXED DOUBLES
An Yun Seong, younger brother of Olympic Champion An Se-young, stepped onto the court with Lee Yu Lim (KOR) to face CROWNE PLAZA Northern Marianas Open XD champions, Akira Koga/Yuho Imai (JPN).
Right from the start, An/Lee pressured their Japanese opponents. Koga/Imai fought their best, but could not hold them off. In a close two-game match, the Korean duo won 15-11, 15-10.
The other court saw an all-Japanese standoff. After dominating the first game, Kenta Matsukawa/Riko Kiyose felt the challenge from their opponents, Haruki Kawabe/Kokona Ishikawa. Despite this, Matsukawa/Kiyose held strong to close out the match in 20 minutes, winning 15-7, 16-14.
WOMEN’S DOUBLES
We witnessed a CROWNE PLAZA Northern Marianas final rematch in the women’s doubles semifinals. However, when Hinata Suzuki and Nao Yamakita (JPN) played today, they approached the game with a far different tactic. With a more aggressive approach, the pair were relentless against last week’s champions, Ririna Hiramoto/Kokona Ishikawa (JPN). They were rewarded for this boldness and flipped the results from the CPNMO to win 15-11, 15-13.
Tomona Harima/Tsukiko Yasaki (JPN) fought valiantly in their semifinal, but they were could not keep up with Nanako Hara/Riko Kiyose (JPN), who wrapped up the match in 23 minutes to win 15-7, 15-8.
MEN’S DOUBLES
In another CROWNE PLAZA Northern Marianas Open 2025 final rematch, Kakeru Kumagai/Hiroki Nishi took on fellow Japanese players, Kawabe/Matsukawa.
While Kumagai/Nishi proved to be the top contenders last time, the CROWNE PLAZA Northern Marianas Open Champions began on the back foot, going down to their opponents in the first game.
After regathering themselves to claim the second, they struggled to keep this momentum throughout the third, as Kawabe/Matsukawa strode ahead. They tried to close the gap, but they could not stop the dynamic younger pair. Kawabe and Matsukawa won the match 15-9, 9-15, 15-13.
The other semifinal saw Naoya Kawashima/Akira Koga (JPN) and Tori Aizawa/Daisuke Sano (JPN) take to the court. In another thrilling three-match game, it pairs were so evenly matched it became a game of mentality.
After 43 minutes, the Northern Marianas International runner ups—Naoya Kawashima and Akira Koga—proved why they are top contenders for the title. Their 15-11,11-15, 15-12 win cementing their place in tomorrow’s final.
