Alvin Morada and Christian Bernardo orchestrated a triumphant return for the Philippines to the sport’s zenith by securing a first-round victory against South Africa’s Jarred Elliott and Robert Summers, with a score of 21-17, 21-13, in the men’s doubles of the TotalEnergies BWF World Championships 2023.
This remarkable feat unfolded on Monday at the Royal Arena in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The Philippines’ most recent participation in the Worlds was marked by Kennevic and Kennie Asuncion, who faced top-tier shuttlers in the 2007 edition held in Kuala Lumpur.
The Filipino pair, currently ranked 46th in the world, surged ahead from a 12-all tie, clinching four consecutive points and establishing a 16-12 advantage. This lead played a pivotal role as the two pairs exchanged points, culminating in the conclusion of the opening set.
In the second set, Morada and Bernardo capitalized on an opening and relentlessly attacked the reigning All Africa Badminton champions’ defensive line, accumulating a commanding 11-3 lead during the second interval.
Although Elliott and Summers attempted to inject intrigue into the match, the deficit proved insurmountable. After a 24-minute showdown, Morada and Bernardo sealed the victory.
The formidable Smash Pilipinas duo is set to face South Koreans and ninth-seeds Kang Min Hyuk and Seo Sung Jae in the subsequent round. The latter received byes, granting them entry into the Round of 32.
Morada is poised to make a return to the court on Tuesday evening (Philippine time), aiming to replicate this triumph in the mixed doubles category, this time partnering with Alyssa Leonardo. The Filipino pair will engage in a spirited battle against Hong Kong’s Chung Man Tang and Ying Suet Tse, vying for a place in the second round.
