Sydney International 2019 Finals: Cheng and Tseng avenge the Malaysian’s to claim second title in Australia

MEN’S SINGLES

Yusuke Onodera (JPN)[15] vs Lim Chong King (JPN)

21-8 21-15

Looking to repeat his recent victory in the Hellas Open, Lim Chong King entered the Final with plenty of momentum following his ousting of the fourth, seventh and tenth seed en route to the final. However, Japan’s Yusuke Onodera set an incredibly fast pace in the first game as he surged through with frequent runs of consecutive points. Lim began to settle into the second game, but it proved to be too little, too late, as Onodera seized complete control of the game.

“I managed to get Lim out of position throughout the first game, so I made the rallies fast. He managed to pick up the attack more in the second but I was able to defend well. I’m very happy to win” – Yusuke Onodera

WOMEN’S SINGLES

Kisona Selvaduray (MAS)[8] vs Shiori Ebihara (JPN)

21-18 21-13

Japan’s Shiori had an incredible run right through from the qualification rounds to today’s Final. However, she was up against the experienced Malaysian who has been no stranger to the BWF International Series circuit in 2019. Having won the Hellas Open and made two Semi-Final appearances in Malaysia and Bulgaria, Kisona was the overwhelming favourite heading into the match, leaving leaves with another title under her belt.

“I prepared physically and mentally for this game as I know how strong the Japanese players always are. My movement isn’t necessarily as strong so this is a good win for me” –GF/ Kisona Selvaduray

MEN’S DOUBLES

Chen Xin-Yuan/Lin Yu Chieh (TPE)[5] vs Peter Gabriel Magnaye/Alvin Morada (PHI)

9-21 21-11 21-15

Armoured by the roaring crowds of the local Filipino-badminton community in Sydney, Peter and Alvin got off to a scintillating start. Eager to recover from a disappointing first game, the Chinese Taipei players retaliated to restore faith and balance in the match. Chen and Lin stamped their mark in the beginning stages of the deciding game, and while the eager Filipino’s scrambled across the court to cling onto their ambitions, Chen and Lin put the past behind them to accomplish the Men’s Doubles title in Sydney.

“We felt like they started to lose their form as the game went on so we had to keep up the fast pace and stay focused on winning” – Chen Xin-Yuan

WOMEN’S DOUBLES

Cheng Yu Chieh/Tseng Yu-Chi (TPE) vs Tan Pearly Koong Le/Muralitharan Thinaah (MAS)[4]

21-17 17-21 21-13

Just one week after they met in the Semi-Finals of the South Australia International, Cheng and Tseng were out to avenge the Malaysian’s who won their last meeting. At one game apiece, the Malaysian’s returned to court with pure determination, attempting racket changes and cross court dives. However, it wasn’t enough to compete with the second wind of the Chinese Taipei players who exacted their revenge in a convincing deciding game to take their second title in Australia.

“Last week we rushed the game too much, whereas today we played into the rallies. Our target was the Semi-Finals so we’re very happy to win again!” – Tseng Yu-Chi

MIXED DOUBLES

Peter Gabriel Magnaye/Thea Marie Pomar (PHI) vs Oliver Leydon-Davis/Anona Pak (NZL)[4]

21-9 21-19

The Filipinos were fast off the block to take the first game. Both pairs were in search of their first Mixed title as a pair, and it seemed like New Zealand’s Leydon-Davis and Pak were about to seize the opportunity as they fought back in the second game. There was a noticeable change from the kiwi’s as they tried to slow down the speedy Filipino’s. However, Magnaye and Pomar could not be outmaneuvered, consistently setting up an attack which led them to the Mixed Doubles crown in front of an electric crowd.

“We’re using this experience to focus and apply everything that we’ve learnt from our recent training in Indonesia…We’re thankful to all our supporters for turning up since the first day” – Peter Gabriel Magnaye