Pictured: Kenneth Choo and Andika Ramadiansyah, Australia. Photo Credit: Luis Veniegra
With a place in the quarterfinals at stake, the players were laying it all out on court on day three at the YONEX Sydney International 2022.
Only two seeds remain in the mixed doubles draw after Chinese Taipei’s Chen/Wang knocked out the second seeds from Norway.
Despite leading for a large majority of the first game, New Zealand’s Lau/Li were not able to capitalise on their position as the Canadian first seeds turned the game around in their favour.
- Ty Alexander Lindeman/Josephine Wu (CAN)[1] vs Edward Lau/Shaunna Li (NZL) 21-15 21-17
- Chen Hui-Heng/Wang Szu-Min (TPE) vs Fredrik Kristensen/Aimee Hong (NOR)[2] 21-15 21-16
Australia’s Jack Yu extended his run past another seeded player on day three. Opening with an impressive first game, Jack had to rethink his tactics after winning only four points in the second. Nonetheless, he made a miraculous recovery in the decider to oust the fifteenth seed. He will also be joined in the quarterfinals by fellow compatriot, Ricky Tang.
- Jack Yu (AUS) vs Liao Jhuo-Fu (TPE)[15] 21-18 4-21 21-13
- Ricky Tang (AUS) vs Chan Jie Ying (AUS) 21-14 21-14
India’s 17-year-old rising star, Lakshay Sharma, kept the first seed on his toes as he remained well in contention of winning the first game. However, the experience of Jason Ho-Shue shone through as he played patiently under the pressure of a game going into extension, an element he sustained in a more comfortable second game victory.
- Jason Anthony Ho-Shue (CAN)[1] vs Lakshay Sharma (IND) 22-20 21-12
New Zealand’s Shaunna Li started her women’s singles game in great form, leading for the most part of the first game and winning the second. However, the scales tipped in the favour of her opponent, Huang Zih Ling in the final game.
Meanwhile, Oceania’s seven-time and reigning women’s singles champion Hsuan-Yu Wendy Chen was next up on court, delivering a consistent and strong performance to book her quarterfinal spot.
- Zih Ling Huang (TPE) vs Shaunna Li (NZL) 21-19 18-21 21-12
- Hsuan-Yu Wendy Chen (AUS)[2] vs Wang Yu Si (TPE) 21-17 21-17
A few hours later, Wendy returned to the court with Gronya Somerville – their first international appearance since their fourth-place finish at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. The pair got off to a slow start before seeking vengeance in the second, remaining in contention in the third until a handful of mistakes gave the Chinese Taipei pair the upper hand during the closing stages and ultimately removed the third seeded Australian’s from the draw.
- Sung Shuo Yun/Yu Chien Hui (TPE) vs Hsuan-Yu Wendy Chen/Gronya Somerville (AUS)[3] 21-10 18-21 21-18
Earlier this year, Gronya won the Oceania mixed title with Kenneth Choo. While they were knocked in yesterday’s mixed doubles competition, Kenneth was successful in his men’s doubles campaign today. Partnering Andika Ramadiansyah, the pair endured in several fast and flat battles with Hong Kong’s third seeds, taking 50 minutes to pull off the biggest upset in the men’s doubles draw so far.
- Kenneth Choo/Andika Ramadiansyah (AUS) vs Chow Hin Long/Lui Chun Wai (HKG)[3]
“We’ve been training a lot together and we could keep up with the pace today. It was a good match, although it was stressful and intense, but we played well. With my mixed game, we’re still trying to figure a lot of things out. The mixed pair yesterday are a really good pair and we got close in the first set and I’m happy with how we played in that game, we just couldn’t keep up in the second game. Now we must train harder, go faster and be more consistent.”, says Kenneth.
The quarterfinals will begin at 10am (AEDT) on Saturday 8 October 2022, with the semifinals taking place later in the afternoon. All matches on courts one and two are available to watch on the live stream (also available after the completion of matches), via Badminton Oceania’s YouTube Channel.
Moreover, all results are available to view on Tournament Software – click here to view.
Photos, videos and more content from day two are available to view on Badminton Oceania’s Facebook page. Join the conversation by using the hashtag #SydneyInternational22
