Photo Credit: Michael Jornal
Following yesterday’s eventful conclusion to the Mixed Team event at the Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games 2022, the Individual Events got underway today.
Opening with the mixed doubles, the drama started to unfold early on as two of the top seeds were knocked out. Two pairs from Tahiti (Bernaix/Gaymann and Cucuel/Ateni) rubbed salt in the wound to overcome their New Caledonian opponents.
In particular, the clash between Bernaix/Gaymann and N’Guela/Kou was a heated contest, with the third and deciding game going well into extension, bringing out deceptive shots and crosscourt dives as both pairs franticly tried to get two points clear.
Tuvalu’s debutants were unable to progress beyond the first rounds as they struggled to keep up with the pace of their more experienced opposition.
- Remi Rossi/Melissa Mi You (TAH)[1] vs Maeli Ioane/Betty Resture (TUV) 21-5 21-4
- Jennica Silva (GUM) vs Betty Resture (TUV) 21-6 21-8
- Joseph Taupiri (SOL) vs Maeli Ioane (TUV) 21-8 21-13
Throughout the rest of the draw, it was a relatively one-sided competition for a large portion of players, with only four games going into a third and deciding game.
After losing the first game 21-8, Pacific Games debutant Elias Maublanc returned to the court a different player with moments of inspiration as he looked possible to take the game into a third and shake up the men’s singles draw. However, it was too little too late and the second seed New Caledonian, Yohan De Geoffroy, prevailed 22-20.
Meanwhile, the only other seeded player to fall on day one came in the men’s singles. In the longest match of the competition so far (45 minutes), Kyliam Scilloux went the distance over three electrifying games to defeat Lucas Julliot.
- Kyliam Scilloux (TAH) vs Lucas Julliot (NCL)[3/4] 18-21 21-18 24-22
Check out all results from rounds one and two on Tournament Software.
Quarter finals
The quarterfinals for all five disciplines will start from 10am on Friday 24 June 2022, followed by the semifinals later in the afternoon.
Check out the schedule and follow the draw on Tournament Software.
All games on courts one and two will be available to watch for free on the live stream.
