Nearly every semifinal went the distance today at the SATHIO GROUP Australian Open. With spots in tomorrow’s finals on the line, players from across the world dug in for some of the most hard-fought matches of the week.
Mixed Doubles
Top seeds Feng Yan Zhe/Huang Dong Ping (CHN) were given a real test in their semifinal against USA’s Presley Smith/Jennie Gai, who were appearing in their maiden Super 500 semifinal. The Americans dropped the first game but responded immediately, levelling the match in the second. In the decider, though, experience told — Feng and Huang found another gear while Smith and Gai’s challenge faded, and the top seeds closed it out 21-16, 18-21, 21-7 to book their spot in tomorrow’s final.
The other mixed doubles semifinal was every bit as relentless. Second seeds Guo Xin Wa/Chen Fang Hui (CHN) and third seeds Ruttanapak Oupthong/Jhenicha Sudjaipraparat (THA) traded the momentum back and forth across 74 minutes. The Thai pair started slowly, dropping the first game 21-9, but dug deep to force a decider with a second-game win. The effort of clawing their way back into the match appeared to take its toll, however, and Guo/Chen had enough left in the tank to close out the win 21-9, 19-21, 21-17.
Women’s Singles
Pornpawee Chochuwong (THA) booked her place in her first final on the circuit in a year with a statement win over one of the sport’s greats, Nozomi Okuhara (JPN), 21-18, 11-21, 21-12. The two have crossed paths many times over their careers, and after a loss in their last meeting, Chochuwong made sure today’s result told a different story.
“Today I wanted to fight with myself, because everyone knows her as the world champion,” she said. “She never gives up, so I had to never give up as well. In the last few months I had just come back from injury, and maybe my confidence wasn’t quite there. So today I improved my confidence and my belief in my body, and that helped me take the win.”
In an all-star clash, P.V. Sindhu (IND) came up against reigning world champion Akane Yamaguchi (JPN) in one of the few straight-games matches of the day. The pair traded blows throughout a tight opening game before Yamaguchi’s strength began to tell, and she pulled away for a 22-20, 21-12 win, securing her place in her fourth consecutive final on the HSBC BWF World Tour this year.
Women’s Doubles
There will be no repeat of last year’s final. Defending champions Rachel Allesya Rose/Febi Setianingrum (INA) were knocked out by top seeds Jia Yifan/Zhang Shuxian (CHN) after an epic 81-minute battle that had the crowd on the edge of their seats.
There is, however, an opportunity for redemption elsewhere. Last year’s runners-up, Febriana Kusuma/Meilysa Puspitasari (INA), will have the chance to go all the way this time after defeating fourth seeds Hsu Yin-Hui/Lin Jhih Yun (TPE) 15-21, 21-14, 21-10.
Men’s Doubles
The men’s doubles semifinal between Sabar Karyaman Gutama/Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani (INA) and Chen Cheng Kuan/Liu Kuang Heng (TPE) defied all expectations. The Indonesian pair looked dominant for the first part of the match, but something shifted in the second game. The unseeded pair from Chinese Taipei seized the momentum that had belonged to Gutama/Isafahani, forcing a decider. Neither side gave an inch in the third game, but in the end it was Gutama and Isfahani who capitalised on a couple of late errors from their opponents to win 21-18, 19-21, 23-21.
“We feel really grateful,” said Gutama. “It wasn’t an easy match — it was a really tough match. We just did our best on every single point, and we’re happy to come away with the win.”
The other men’s doubles semifinal, an all-China affair, went the way of the underdogs. Chen Bo Yang/Liu Yi swept past Liang Wei Keng/Wang Chang in straight games, 21-12, 21-18.
Men’s Singles
Dong Tian Yao (CHN) survived a mid-match lapse to push through to the final, recovering from a heavy second-game loss to dismantle Moh. Zaki Ubaidillah (INA) in the closing stages and win 21-19, 9-21, 21-18.
Alwi Farhan survived a scare of his own against Hong Kong’s Jason Gunawan, ending Gunawan’s hopes of a maiden Super 500 final. With his place in tomorrow’s final secured, Farhan’s focus has already shifted ahead.
“I will do the best and let it all do the rest,” he said. “Of course, today was tiring, but I will continue. I will rest, do some recovery, and then we will fight for tomorrow.”
