Rio Agustino and Priska Kustiadi are still getting to know each other on court, but you wouldn’t have guessed it from the way they played today. In just their second international match as a pair, the Australians showed grit, chemistry, and a growing confidence that suggests this partnership could go far.
Their opponents, Yu Yen Cheng and Jia Yin Lin (TPE) were no pushovers. After a strong start from Agustino and Kustiadi, which saw them take the first game comfortably, the momentum shifted. The Chinese Taipei pair found their rhythm and forced a third game, putting the Australians under pressure.
Down in the decider, Agustino and Kustiadi didn’t panic. They adjusted, communicated, and began to claw back the deficit. With the match hanging in the balance, they found another gear; stringing together a series of clutch points to complete a thrilling comeback: 15-11, 12-15, 15-13.
“[We need to] keep up the confidence and try to keep dominating at the front and mid court for both of us because these players are really fast” – Priska Kustiadi
It was a performance that spoke not just to their individual talent, but to the potential of a new pairing finding its rhythm.
Earlier in the day, Frengky Wijaya Putra and Putri Sari Dewi Citra, both now representing Australia after stints with Indonesia and Singapore, delivered a statement win over eighth seeds Chen Zhi Ray and Lin Yen Yu (TPE). Their 15-13, 15-4 victory was decisive, and their confidence on court was clear.
In the women’s singles, Niina Matsuta turned heads with one of the biggest upsets of the tournament. Just 18 years old and ranked world No. 303, the Japanese player faced defending champion and top seed Tung Ciou-Tong (TPE). After dropping the first game, Matsuta regrouped and began to dictate the rallies. Her 12-15, 15-12, 15-10 win was fearless, composed, and full of promise.
Another Australian player, Saena Kawakami, also made waves. She faced fourth seed Wang Yu Si (TPE), a familiar opponent from earlier in the season. Once again, Kawakami took control after a slow start, winning 6-15, 15-7, 15-8 to advance.
In the men’s singles, top seed Wang Po-Wei (TPE) was pushed hard by Australia’s Karono Karono, who kept the rallies tight and the pressure constant. Wang held firm, edging through 15-13, 15-12.
New Zealand’s Edward Lau had a tougher day. He fell to second seed Liao Jhuo-Fu (TPE) 11-15, 4-15, and later exited the mixed doubles with partner Shaunna Li (NZL), losing to Bo-Yuan Chen and Sung Yi-Hsuan (TPE) 15-9, 15-6.
Japan’s Toma Noda added another upset to the day’s tally, defeating fourth seed Le Duc Phat (VIE) 15-9, 17-15 in a match full of momentum shifts and sharp shot-making.
In men’s doubles, Thailand’s Pongsakorn and Wongsathorn Thongkham went the distance against Japan’s Yudai Nagafuchi and Kota Ogawa. The match lasted 49 minutes and came down to the wire, with the Japanese pair clinching it 16-14, 10-15, 18-20.
Australia’s Gronya Somerville and Angela Yu wrapped up the day with a confident win in women’s doubles, cruising past Ke Xin Chen and Yi Jen Lee (TPE) 15-6, 15-9.
Day 3 was full of surprises, comebacks, and emerging stories. As the tournament heads into its final stretch, the draw is wide open and the energy in Sydney is only building.