India’s Pusarla V. Sindhu booked her place in the quarterfinals with a win over Singapore’s Yue Yann Jaslyn Hooi, 21-16, 21-16, in the women’s singles Round of 16 of the Badminton Asia Championships 2022, Thursday at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex in Muntinlupa City.
The world No. 7 shuttler had to pass through a grueling opening match against Pai Yu Po of Chinese Taipei wherein she needed to come back to take the win, 18-21, 27-25, 21-9.
“It’s been a good run so far and I’m playing in the quarterfinals tomorrow,” the 2019 World champion in women’s singles said. “So I think, this is my first time in the Philippines, the court is very tricky and sometimes it’s very hard to control the shuttle a lot. And I think it is important to stay patient. But whatever it is, we have to just play and give our best.”
Sindhu will take on world No. 9 He Bing Jao of China in the last eight, as the Chinese fifth-seed took down Japan’s Ohori Aya in a three-setter, 18-21, 21-13, 21-13.
Also on top of the draw is world No. 2 Akane Yamaguchi of Japan, who fended off the challenge of Indonesia’s Komang Ayu Cahya Dewi, 21-23, 21-9, 21-19.
In the men’s singles, world No. 52 Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo of Indonesia built on his giant upset the previous day to advance to the next round with a win past Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk Yiu, 21-19, 22-20.
Compatriot Jonathan Christie, who is at number 8 in the world, and reigning World champion Loh Kean Yew of Singapore set up an exciting quarterfinals battle.
Christie fought hard past Daren Liew of Malaysia, 21-14, 13-21, 21-19, while Loh took care of Koki Watanabe, 21-16, 21-6.
The men’s doubles saw another upset as Ren Xiang Yu and Tan Qiang of China dominated world No. 2 pair Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan, 21-9, 21-15.
The women’s side saw top-ranked pair Chen Qing Chen and Jia Yi Fan shake off Malaysians Anna Ching Yik Cheong and Teoh Mei Xing, 21-18, 21-16, to move into the next round.
China also advanced in the mixed doubles with current world No. 2 Zheng Si Wei and Huang Ya Qiong against Adnan Maulana and Mychelle Crhystine Bandaso, 21-11, 21-13.
Round of 16 matches in all events: men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles are still ongoing as of publishing.
The tournament is made possible by SMART, MVP Sports Foundation, Li-Ning, Cignal, TV5, One Sports, Robinson’s Land, Premium Megastructure Inc., Philippine Badminton Association, Badminton Asia, the Philippine Olympic Committee, the Philippine Sports Commission, and Muntinlupa Mayor Fresnedi and the City of Muntinlupa.
