Day three of the CROWNE PLAZA Northern Marianas Open 2025 delivered a mix of breakthrough performances, dramatic finishes, and homegrown triumphs. The atmosphere inside the venue was electric as players battled for spots in the quarterfinals, with several matches going down to the wire. From rising stars making their mark to seasoned contenders holding their ground, the day was a showcase of grit, talent, and determination across all disciplines.
WOMEN’S SINGLES
Oceania Champion, Shaunna Li (NZL) bowed out of the competition after a 15-21, 21-18, 12-21 loss to Japan’s Ririna Hiramoto.
Tanya Hemanth (IND) made her tournament debut. The number one seed was tested in the first game by Nodoka Sunakawa (JPN), but stretched her lead early in the second, coming away with the win (21-18, 21-9)
Third seed and Northern Marianas International 2025 winner, Park Ga Eun (KOR), was pushed every step of the way by Yuan Chi Liao (TPE). After a gruelling hour, Park finally emerged victorious, winning the match 21-19, 19-21, 22-20.
MEN’S SINGLES
Number one seed, Jeon Hyeok Jin (KOR) stayed composed to power to a 21-12, 21-10 win over Jewel Albo (PHI).
Third seed, Misha Zilberman, was bested by Yudai Okimoto (JPN). With an impressive display of power, the Japanese player pulled away from his competitor early in the second game. In a last-minute push, Zilberman tried to close the gap; however, it was not enough, and the Israeli player exited the competition after a 21-19, 21-17 loss.
The longest match of the day saw Choi Jihoon (KOR) and Koya Iwano (JPN) battle it out over 73 minutes for the spot in the next round. After winning the first game, Iwano stumbled in the second. The third was neck-and-neck, with the lead trading multiple times. Choi surged to a lead late in the game, and despite Iwano’s valiant attempt to close him down, the Korean player held on to take the win 17-21, 21-14, 21-19.
MIXED DOUBLES
Jude Mallari and Genelyn Lansangan (NMI) held their own against Germany’s Devereux/Toepffer to secure NMI’s first win of the tournament. After going up 21-18 in the first game, the German pair rallied back to take the second, before the juniors from the Northern Marianas snuck away with a 21-16 win to book their spot in the quarterfinals.
“The results coming from that match I would never have expected. It still feels very surreal, and I’m proud of both of us,” said Lansangan.
Two Australian pairs, Fredrick Zhao/Jazmine Lam and Jordan Wang/Yee-Yuan Lim, also progressed to the second round.
Zhao/Lam were challenged by Daniell Pablo/Janelle Pangilinan (NMP) in the first game, but found their rhythm to pull away to a 21-17, 21-12 win.
Wang/Lim faced the young duo of Dave Bryan Odicta/Shaina Malonzo (NMP). Despite the local duo giving it their all, it wasn’t enough. The Australians ran away with the match, winning 21-12, 21-14.
WOMEN’S DOUBLES
Kim Min Ji and Ye Na Lee (KOR), silver medallists at the Northern Marianas International 2025, took on hometown talents, Shaina Malonzo and Lina Tsukagoshi (NMP) in the first round of the women’s doubles. Despite their best efforts, the local pair could not make inroads against the Koreans. Kim and Lee stormed to a 21-2, 21-6 win.
The two young Australians, Lam and Lim returned to the court to face Hinata Suzuki and Nao Yamakita (JPN). The pair from down under held their own for while, but their opponents proved too strong. The Japanese pair won 21-11, 21-8.
MEN’S DOUBLES
Fourth seeds, Tori Aizawa/Daisuke Sano (JPN), faced Park Beom Soo/Shin Tae Yang (KOR). Neither team were clear favourites for the win, but eventually, the Korean pair emerged as the victors after a tight 21-19, 21-19 contest.
New Zealand’s Raphael Deloy and Adam Jeffrey were matched up against Naoya Kawashima and Akira Koga (JPN). Deloy played the pair earlier this year and was looking to make a statement with his new partner, Jeffrey. Although the Japanese pair took the first game, the Kiwis’ tenacity found themselves in a position to potentially force a third. However, the Japanese duo’s experience shone through, and they pushed the New Zealanders out of the competition with a 21-14, 21-19 win
“It’s our third tournament playing together, so we are still quite new and adjusting to each other. We still had a few open spaces so as long as we keep training with each other I think we will be able to win,” said Deloy.
Quarterfinals begin at 3pm local time at Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.
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