When Amy Wang took the court this morning at the MAXX North Harbour International 2025, she knew she was in for a tough day.
The 13-year-old drew none other than fellow North Harbour player and 2025 Oceania women’s singles champion, Shaunna Li, in her first match of the tournament.
Wang, who had been promoted from qualifying, said she was nervous before the start of the match but tried to keep positive.
“My thinking was just to keep up with her and not let the point gap go too big,” she said.
Her mindset worked, after trailing in the first game, she rallied back to take the second and force a third.
As the crowd grew, Wang’s resolve only strengthened. She played like she had nothing to lose and was rewarded for it.
Every time Li stretched to a lead, Wang clawed back the deficit and when Wang hit the shuttle for the final time, it was impossible to read her expression.
Amy Wang took the victory over Shaunna Li 15-21, 21-17, 21-17.
Afterwards, she admitted she wasn’t expecting to play three sets, let alone win the match, but will take today’s win as a lesson into her Round of 16 match tomorrow.
“I think I will just be positive all the time and I won’t think I’ll lose when I haven’t played the match yet.”
Wang was not the only women’s single player to shake up the draw.
Mikaela Joy De Guzman had a standout performance on day two of the MAXX North Harbour International
Mikaela Joy De Guzman (PHI) knew she was the underdog against Chinese Taipei’s, Chen Su Yu. Taking on the world number 48 was a huge ask for De Guzman, who entered the tournament ranked number 222.
Despite this, she sprung into action immediately. She seemingly stunned her opponent as she rocketed to a 21-8 first game win. In the second, Chen found her footing, and in the third, both sides looked ready to take the win.
In this high pressure situation, many would crumble. But the player from The Philippines continued to believe in herself, and closed out the 61 minute match with grit.
“I was telling myself that I can do it, that there’s nothing that is going to stop me from getting this point,” she said. “My training has stayed the same [since the CENTURY INSURANCE Saipan International in August], it’s just that I was more hungry to win international tournaments, and I’m going for 2028 Olympics.”
The final score – 21-8, 20-22, 21-19.
Across the rest of the disciplines, nearly all favourites progressed to the next round. However, notably in the mixed doubles, hometown heroes Edward Lau/Shaunna Li (NZL) exited the competition after a 21-13, 21-19 defeat to Chinese Taipei’s Lu Wei Hsuan/Tsai Hsin-Pei.
Tomorrow, Round of 16 gameplay begins.
In the men’s doubles, number one seeds, Chen Zhi Ray/Lin Yu Chieh (TPE) face top Kiwi duo, Raphael Chris Deloy/Adam Jeffrey.
Australia’s Ricky Tang will take on the number three seed Liao Jhuo-Fu (TPE) for a spot in the men’s singles quarterfinal.
The young star, Amy Wang (NZL), will take on Imad Farooqui Samiya (IND), who knocked the number five seed out of the competition earlier today.
