Pictured: Cho Geonyeop (KOR) Credit: BadmintonPhoto
Day three had the 2022 junior world number 1 men’s doubles pair, Nge Joo Jie and Johann Prajogo from Singapore hit the court running today as the men’s doubles made it debut at the CROWNE PLAZA Northern Marianas Open 2023. Relishing the chance to get onto court the pair took the opportunity to get feeling for the courts.
- Nge Joo Jie/Johann Prajogo (SGP) vs Brian Labao/Daniell Pablo (NMI) 21-6 21-9
“It was good to get on and familiar with the court, shuttles, and draft. We are happy how we played”.
Two of the longest matches were in the men’s singles draw, both moving past the 60 minute mark. Kevin Cordon [1] was looking for a second round win against the fired up Korean, 26 year old Cho Geonyeop. Cordon was pushed throughout the match, making the four time Olympian work hard for every point. In the third game, Geonyeop made his move, applying pressure to secure the win and a place in the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, crowd favourite, Yushi Tanaka (JPN) was bundled out of the men’s singles by Lee Yun Gyu (KOR) in a 103 minute match. Lee looked hesitant in the first game but came back to win the second. The decider was tense with Tanaka unable to stop the charge of Lee.
- Lee Yun Gyu (KOR) vs Yushi Tanaka (JPN) [3] 16-21 22-20 21-17
- Cho Geonyeop (KOR) vs Kevin Cordon (GUA) [1] 23-21 19-21 21-10
”I am very happy to beat a four time Olympian’’.
Over in the women’s singles draw, seeds were not spared from what seemed to be relentless hunger from the Korean players. Lin Hsiang Ti had a battle on her hands against Kim Ga Ram who would not let the player from Chinese Taipei take control. Booking her place in the quarterfinals, Kim faces Thi Anh Thu Vu (VIE). Ashuku Takahashi also progresses to the quarterfinals, claiming victory over the eighth seed, Chiu Pin-Chian.
- Kin Ga Ram (KOR) vs Lin Hsiang Ti (TPE) [3] 21-17 21-15
- Thi Anh Thu Vu (VIE) vs Yi En Hsieh (TPE) 23-21 21-13
- Asuka Takahashi (JPN) vs Chiu Pin-Chian (TPE) [8] 321-15 22-20
Oceania’s Setyana Mapasa and Angela Yu started their campaign off with a confident win over Cheng Yu-Pei/Sun Wen-Pei. There didn’t seem to be any doubt of their ability, showing that a win was eminent. They face Sayaka Hobara/Yui Suizu (JPN) in the next round. Mapasa and Yu are one of only two Australian pair that remain in the draw.
- Setyana Mapasa/Angela Yu (AUS) vs Cheng Yu-Pei/Sun Wen Pei (TPE) 21-16 21-19
It took until the latter part of today’s session to witness the exit of five seeded mixed doubles pairs. There were no holds barred as Hiroki Nishi and Akari Sato dispatched the seasoned pair of Chang Ko-Chi and Lee Chih Chen in three games. After winning the first, Nishi/Sato struggled to keep pace with the players from Chinese Taipei who won the second game convincingly. The third and final game saw the table turn once again with team Japan holding on for the win, eliminating the number one seeds in the process. Other notable casualties were the pair from Oceania and third seeds Kenneth Choo and Gronya Sommerville along with Po Li-Wei and Chang Ching Hui (TPE) who, as fourth seeds now bow out of the event.
- Hiroki Nishi/Akari Sato (JPN) vs Chang Ko-Chi/Lee Chih Chen (TPE) [1] 21-17 15-21 21-12
- Lu Chen/Cheng Yu-Pei (TPE) vs Kenneth Zhi Hooi Choo/Gronya Sommerville (AUS) [3] 21-16 21-19
- Hashiru Shimono/Miku Shigeta (JPN) vs Po Li-Wei/Chang Ching Hui (TPE) [4] 21-12 16-21 21-14
- Wang Chan/Shin Seung Chan (KOR) vs Lin Bing-Wei/Lin Chih-Chun (TPE) [7] 21-18 14-21 21-14
Check out all results from day two of the CROWNE PLAZA Northern Marianas Open 2023 on Tournament Software.
All matches on courts one and two are available to watch live and free via Badminton Oceania’s YouTube channel – click here to watch.
Day three starts with the men’s and women’s doubles at 1pm local time (GMT+10). Follow the latest news and find out more on Badminton Oceania’s Facebook page.
