NEW ZEALAND OPEN 2015 Day 2 – Simon beaten by World Junior Champ

The most recent Superseries winner at this week’s New Zealand Open Grand Prix Gold, Simon Santoso, was downed in his first match by World Junior Champion Lin Guipu in a day of much flexing of young Chinese muscle.

By Kira Rin, Badzine Correspondent live in Auckland.  Photos: Badmintonphoto (archives)

Day 2 of the New Zealand Open opened with a punishing schedule for men’s singles players.  2 rounds, of 64 then of 32, saw the playing field cut in four, leaving tired players to rest hard in preparations for their round of 16 matches tomorrow.  A single round of women’s singles and mixed doubles each broke the monotony of the guys occupying the courts and let the ladies’ talents shine through.

Four out

While seeding is undeniable proof of international ranking, it is still a fact that any motivated and sufficiently trained player can upset such seeded player in any given day.  This was a fact made true for both 2014 Singapore Open winner Simon Santoso (pictured right) and Howard Shu who became the earliest seeds to suffer upsets.

A highly motivated Lin Guipu (pictured top) played a fast and powerful game, using his body youth to further his speed.  The reigning World Junior Champion took care of Santoso in just two quick games.

Singapore had a bad day too, with 2 of their best players out.  8^th seed Derek Wong and mixed doubles 2^nd seeds Danny Bawa Chrisnanta and Vanessa Neo (pictured bottom) became the other two seeds of the day shown the door by up-and-coming Chinese players, each of whom won their match in straight games.

Best for the last

The spectators came and went, but the best match of the day was saved for the last as a sweet dessert.  Hsueh Hsuan Yi of Chinese Taipei and Malaysia’s Goh Soon Huat (pictured left) fought a nail-biting match that lasted an hour and 18 minutes.

Down by one game, Soon Huat had to tread carefully and choose his shots wisely, staying just a step ahead of Hsuan Yi.  4 saved match points and 2 very close games later earned Soon Huat the right to proceed to round of 16.

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