Photo Credit: Paul Foxall
ROUND 16
It’s moving day at the VICTOR Oceania Individual Championships 2024. With the matches becoming more competitive, the excitement is building, and the nerves are growing. It was the singles event that produced the most upsets.
The morning session has produced an epic men’s singles match that had supporters from each camp on the edge of their seats. Number five seed, Jack Yu (AUS) started the first game with a good lead before Benzie decreased the deficit and taking the first game. Again, Yu came back, this time keeping his nose in front and not relinquishing his lead to claim the second game. It could have gone either way in the third if it wasn’t for a few unforced errors that played in Benzie’s favour, sending him straight to the quarterfinals.
- Chris Benzie (NZL) def Jack Yu (AUS) [5] 21-18 14-21 21-17
“I played Jack a few years ago in a Trans-Tasman event so worked on what I remembered from last time. I knew it would be tough so I made sure to stay patient” said Chris.
Long time Australian player, Nathan Tang could not hold off the constant grit and determination from his junior compatriot, Shrey Dhand. After losing the first game, Dhand stepped up a gear and put pressure on his opponent, taking the second and third games to eliminate Tang from the tournament.
- Shrey Dhand (AUS) [15] def Nathan Tang (AUS)[1] 14-21 21-15 21-19
Hometown hero, Jacob Schueler kept his supporters at ease when he won his match against fellow Australian Adrian Reynardi.
- Jacob Schueler (AUS) [2] def Adrian Reynardi (AUS) 21-17 21-9
There were no such upsets in the women’s singles this morning with Tiffany Ho moving herself into the quarterfinals, although the second game did push her to extension.
- Tiffany Ho (AUS) [1] def Jazmine Lam (AUS) 21-14 22-20
QUARTERFINALS
With only Australian and New Zealand players remaining in the draw, it comes down to some interesting trans- Tasman encounters. Coming from the same badminton association and country, Edward Lau and Chris Benzie know each other’s play very well. It may have been the tough match earlier in the day, but Benzie was left wanting against his older and more experience friend.
- Edward Lau (NZL) [3] def Chris Benzie (NZL) 21-14 21-11
Playing concurrently, Ricky Tang backed up from a big three game, 66-minute match earlier in the day with another strong showing, this time against fellow Australian Kai Chen Teoh.
- Ricky Tang (AUS) [4] def Kai Chen Teoh 21-15 21- 18
It was a tragic end to an men’s singles quarterfinal between Keith Edison and Jacob Schueler. Heading into the latter part of the third game, Keith Edison suffered an injury that could not allow him to continue, gifting the win to his team mate.
- Jacob Schueler (AUS) [2] def Keith Edison (AUS) [7] 21-16 19-21 16-15 RET
New Zealand’s Shaunna Li continues her winning way with little resistance so far this week. She will now play Tiffany Ho for a rematch of women’s singles final from the VICTOR Oceania Championships in 2023.
- Shaunna Li (NZL) [5] def Isabella Yan (AUS) 21-6 21-9
Another stand out of the quarterfinal session were the Australian junior women’s doubles pair, Dania Nugroho and Catrina Chia-Yu Tan. Having played as a pair for seven years, their synergy showed as they comfortably won their match.
- Dania Nugroho/Catrina Chia-Yu Tan (AUS) def Gaea Galvez/Jenny Zhu (NZL) 21-11 21-18
Anona Pak and Erena Calder-Hawkins have progressed through to the semifinals after a win in straight games.
“It was challenging playing our own teammates, but we focused on our game plan and made sure our communication was the priority” Pak said.
They will face number one seeds Setyana Mapasa and Angela Yu who had a convincing win this afternoon. Other notable mentions and through to tomorrow’s semifinals are mixed doubles top seeds Kenneth Choo and Gronya Somerville (AUS) and will face Vincent Tao/Alyssa Tagle (NZL) Joining the top four are Rayne Wang/Kaitlyn Ea (AUS) and Edward Lau/Shaunna Li (NZL).
Play stars at 9am
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