New Zealand men dominate Australian Junior Event
New Zealand’s U19 men’s badminton players are showing the way across the Tasman at the Australian U19 Championships in Melbourne. Canterbury 17-year-old Asher Richardson will clash for a place in the final with Counties Manukau’s Praveen Tayalan in the men’s singles semifinal. The two players have combined to make the men’s doubles semis. Also in the doubles semis are Luke Charlesworth and Brock Matheson.
Richardson is in three semifinals after teaming with North Harbour’s Melissa Yin in the mixed having a three game quarterfinal win over Daniel Trinh and Olivia Na.(Australia) In the semis they play Australia’s Nathan David and Leanne Choo for a place in the final. Waitakere pair, Luke Charlesworth and Mary O’Connor play an Australian team in their semifinal.
The women’s doubles semis feature two teams – Victoria Cheng and O’Connor as well as Amanda Brown and Susannah Leydon-Davis.
All four New Zealand women lost in the quarterfinals of the singles.
All players are using the Australian U19 Championships as a lead up to the US$50,000 New Zealand Open next week at North Harbour.
Australian U19 Badminton Championships, Melbourne.
Results(New Zealand unless noted)
Women’s singles quarterfinals:
Victoria Ma(Australia) bt Amanda Brown 21-11 21-11, Louise Ma(Australia) bt Madeline Stapleton 21-9 21-12, Leanne Choo(Australia) bt Melissa Yin 21-13 21-15, Tara Pilven(Australia) bt Susannah Leydon-Davis 21-16 21-3.
Men’s singles second round:
Luke Charlesworth bt Jaky Wu(Australia) 23-21 17-21 21-14.
Men’s quarterfinals:
Praveen Tayalan bt Eddie Hung(Australia) 21-15 21-19, Asher Richardson bt Honesto Buendia(Australia) 21-15 20-22 21-18, Ashwant Gobinathan(Australia) bt Charlesworth 19-21 21-18 22-20
Men’s doubles quarterfinals:
Asher Richardson/Praveen Tayalan bt Daniel Trinh/Jacky Wu(Australia) 19-21 21-14 22-20, Luke Charlesworth/Brock Matheson bt Honesto Buendia/Brendan Tieu(Australia) 17-21 21-17 21-10.
Women’s doubles quarterfinals:
Victoria Cheng/Mary O’Connor bt Vinning Mak/Natasha Sharp(Australia) 21-7 21-3, Amanda Brown/Susannah Leydon-Davis bt Tegan Berry/Tarah Marney(Australia) 21-9 21-16.
Mixed quarterfinals:
Luke Charlesworth/Mary O’Connor bt Jacky Wu/Chiu Pin Ho(Australia) 21-16 21-18, Boris Ma/Victoria Na(Australia) bt Praveen Tayalan/Madeline Stapleton 21-15 21-12, Asher Richardson/Melissa Yin bt Daniel Trinh/Olivia Na(Australia) 20-22 21-16 21-14, Nathan David/Leanne Choo(Australia) bt Brock Matheson/Amanda Brown 22-20 21-17.