One of the most anticipated matches of day two came in the form of a men’s singles third round match, when the men’s singles runners up from 2019 and 2020 had to compete for a spot in the quarterfinals.
Rémi Rossi, who was on a mission to become the first non-Australian/New Zealander to win gold at the Continental Championships, was fast out of the starting blocks as he took Edward by storm to seal a 21-12 win. However, the New Zealander was able to recalibrate and re-assess his tactics, involving a change in serving technique, which appeared to capture Rémi by surprise. Unable to find the answers, Edward eventually ran away with the third and deciding game.
- Edward Lau (NZL)[7] vs Remi Rossi (TAH) 12-21 21-15 21-4
“I knew it would be a tough match and I know he was really fired up. I had a slow start and lost confidence, so I just tried to stay relaxed and be patient in the rallies. I had to vary up my serve to keep include more forehands and different heights to keep him guessing, as he was adding a lot pressure onto my backhand serve in the first game. Unfortunately, I can no longer play mixed doubles so I’m just focussing on singles so I’ll go back and recover and get ready for my next match”, says Edward
The reigning and six-time women’s singles champion made light work of her opening match. Wendy Chen is on track to extend her record-breaking spree of six consecutive titles, to a remarkable seventh, and showed no signs of remorse this afternoon against fellow compatriot, Joanna Chan.
- Hsuan-Yu Wendy Chen (AUS)[1] vs Joanna Yan Nok Chan (AUS) 21-4 21-2
“It’s feels great to come back and be on court. It would be excellent if I could win my seventh title, but I’m just taking it one match at a time, but I’m doing my best. Something I’m working on at the minute is just staying positive for my match, giving myself encouragement and pumping myself up”, says Wendy
Meanwhile, Wendy’s rival Louisa Ma also got off to a good start on the opposite end of the draw. Louisa and Wendy met in the 2018 and 2020 final, with Wendy taking the crown both times. Louisa will be hoping that the ‘third time lucky’ saying rings true in 2022, as she opened her campaign with a satisfying win.
- Louisa Ma (AUS)[2] vs Catrina Chia-Yu Tan (AUS) 21-15 21-17
In the men’s doubles, there were two major upsets as the second and third seeds were knocked out of the competition. Jordan Yang and Frederick Zhao overwhelmed their fellow compatriots in an opening game which become closer in the second, yet too little too late for their second seeded opponents. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s Dacmen and Evan Wong ousted Eric Vuong (who won the men’s doubles title in 2019 alongside Sawan Serasinghe) and his now partner, Maika Phillips from New Zealand, who had entered the draw as third seeds.
- Jordan Yang/Frederick Zhao (AUS) vs Vincent Nguyen/Le The Hung Pham (AUS)[2] 21-6 21-19
- Dacmen Vong/Evan Wong (NZL) vs Maika Phillips/Eric Vuong (NZL/AUS)[3] 24-22 21-17
Fiji’s Sristi Nadan made the most of her journey to Melbourne by partnering with Australia’s Joanna Chan. The scratch pairing fought hard, but their lacking familiarity as a pair faltered to the more experienced opponents who celebrated a comfortable victory.
- Tiffany Ho/Lee Yen Khoo (AUS) vs Joanna Yan Nok Chan/Sristi Nadan (AUS/FIJ) 21-7 21-7
By the end of day two, all quarterfinalists across the five disciplines have been decided, which you can view on Tournament Software.
The mixed doubles open proceedings at 9am tomorrow morning and all matches on court one and two available to watch for free on the live stream, via Badminton Oceania’s YouTube Channel. Click here to watch.
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