Kiwis Win Two Titles

New Zealand players won two out of the five titles available at the Oceania Junior (U19) Badminton Championships in Suva, Fiji dominating the doubles draws but failing in the singles to make any final.

The women’s doubles final featured Auckland’s Victoria Cheng and Mary O’Connor from Waitakere defeat North Harbour’s Anona Pak and Stapleton in three hard games, taking 50 minutes for the 21-19 14-21 21-19 victory.

The second title came in the mixed competition as O’Connor was back on court again. This time teaming up with Maika Phillips(North Harbour ) to beat Cheng and Evan Lee(North Harbour) in straight games.

The tournament was perhaps a little disappointing in singles for the Kiwi players with top men’s seed, Asher Richardson from Christchurch losing in three games in the semifinals of singles and mixed, however there were no doubt more pressing thoughts on his mind.

In the women’s singles Victoria Cheng was the best of the Kiwis making the semifinals, but missing out in a place in the final a tough three game contest. The Kiwi team Shawn Zhang and Evan Lee made the men’s doubles semis, otherwise the singles draw and men’s doubles finals were contested by Australians.

As expected top women’s seed Tara Pilven won the singles title while surprised finalist Sawan Serashinghe took away the men’s singles title.

All of the players will be hoping their Oceania form will help with good performances heading into the US$15,000 Li-Ning New Zealand International at North Harbour in the first week of April.

Oceania Junior Badminton Results (New Zealand unless listed):
Men’s singles final:
Sawan Serasinghe(Australia) bt Brendan Tiue(Australia)21-5 21-9.
Women’s singles final:
Tara Pilven bt Vinning Mak(Australia) 21-19 21-14
Mixed final:
Maika Phillips/Mary O’Connor bt Evan Lee/Victoria Cheng 21-19 14-21 21-19 21-19.
Men’s doubles final:
Matt Chau/Sawan Serasinghe(Australia) bt Hu-Wen Chew/Brendan Tieu 21-18 21-19.
Women’s doubles final:
Victoria Cheng/Mary O’Connor bt Anona Pak/Madeleine Stapleton 21-10 21-9