Photo Credit: NMBA
2 July 2024 – Day 1 of the CROWNE PLAZA Northern Marianas Open 2024 tipped off with a high-energy noon session featuring intense matchups in the men’s singles and women’s singles categories.
The first men’s singles match of the day saw Thailand’s Varot Uraiwong face off against Chinese Taipei’s Huang Ping-Hsien. Both players displayed remarkable skill and determination, making it a gripping encounter between the two.
- Huang Ping-Hsien (TPE) vs Varot Uraiwong (THA) 21-12 21-16
Following this, the Oceania battle in the men’s singles category had NMI’s Paulo Quidato going up against Guam’s Corey Lei. This match showcased the competitive spirit and camaraderie among the players from neighboring regions.
- Paulo Quidato (NMI) vs Corey Lei (GUM) 21-14 21-19
In women’s singles, the day kicked off with two thrilling three-game matches. New Zealand’s Shaunna Li took on the number 3 seed, Kaoru Sugiyama from Japan. Li fought valiantly, winning the first game but eventually succumbing to Sugiyama’s consistent training and stamina. Reflecting on her match, Li expressed that it was a valuable opportunity to play against a higher-seeded opponent from outside her usual demographic. Despite the loss, she emphasized the learning experience gained from facing Sugiyama, attributing her defeat to her less consistent training.
- Kaoru Sugiyama [3] (JPN) vs Shaunna Li (NZL) 18-21 21-12 21-8
The day also saw Kyle Salcedo from NMI secure the first win for his country in front of his home crowd, defeating Guam’s Yu Xuan Xia in a well-fought match.
- Kyle Salcedo (NMI) vs Yu Xuan Xia (GUM) 21-12 21-18
New Zealand’s own Edward Lau had a triumphant start of the tournament, securing both his first victory in Saipan and New Zealand’s first win against Canada’s Hing Long Wong. Lau dominated the match, winning in two straight games and setting a positive precedent for the days to come.
- Edward Lau (NZL) vs Hing Long Wong (CAN) 21-9 21-9
In an intense showdown between Andrew Tan (USA) and Sam Yuan (CAN), the match was a rollercoaster ride of thrilling rallies and dramatic shifts. During the third game, Tan initially led but fell behind, reaching a tense 20-22. Recognizing his opponent’s nerves, he capitalized on the opportunity. Remaining composed and determined to give his best regardless of the outcome, he ultimately secured a 22-20 victory. He acknowledged the element of luck in such matches, noting that he was fortunate to gain some easy points towards the end, which contributed to his win. Overall, he expressed satisfaction with his performance and happiness at advancing past the first round.
- Andrew Tan (USA) vs Sam Yuan (CAN) 18-21 21-8 22-20
Ending the day with several intense singles matches, the competition has been nothing short of electrifying. Day 2 kicks off tomorrow at 10 am local time, featuring a full schedule of matches including men’s singles, women’s doubles, men’s doubles and mixed doubles.
Matches are available to watch on Badminton Oceania’s YouTube Channel.
CROWN PLAZA Northern Marianas Open 2024 Live Score
Tournament Schedule as following:
