First one of the day – VICTOR Hong Kong Open Jason Gunawan reaches men’s singles main draw after two wins in qualifiers Home players involved in all-Hong Kong, China players affair in opening day

「VICTOR Hong Kong Open, a ‘M’ Mark event and part of the HSBC BWF World Tour Super 500 tournament, kicked off today (Sep 12) at Hong Kong Coliseum for six days in a row. 19-year-old Jason Gunawan of Hong Kong beat two Indian players in the qualifiers to reach the men’s singles round of 32. In the doubles qualification, two Hong Kong pairs advanced to the main draw after overcoming fellow Hong Kong team members with Chow Hin Long and Lui Chun Wai reaching the men’s round of 32 and Ng Tsz Yau and Tsang Hiu Yan reaching the women’s.

Hong Kong sent a total 30 players to the tournament which resumed after a lapse of four years. The hosts started in all qualifiers, except the women’s singles. Making his debut in the men’s singles, Jason came back from behind to beat Mithun Manjunath of India in the first game after deuce 22-20 before taking the next 21-15. In his second match, Jason made no mistake with straight game win over Ravi Ravi 21-15, 21-14. He will meet Misha Zilberman of Israel in the first round on Wednesday.

Debutant Jason said he had little expectation but tried his best to mount challenges to the more senior and experienced players. “Players come here are all with higher rankings as I only rank 150 in the world,” he said. “No matter who the opponents are, I have to challenge them with my best effort.” Jason was happy to beat world ranked 46th Manjunath in his first match as he lost to the same Indian player last year.

Chan Yin Chak

It was a different story for another home player, Chan Yin Chak, however, Chan beat Arnaud Merkle of France in the first round but could do little when he faced Su Li Yang of Chinese Taipei, losing in straight games 21-12, 21-17. Chan said he suffered a flu last week and had fever and therefore failed to maintain his consistency in the match. Also, he could not sustain a strong physical condition after the first match. Chan will represent Hong Kong in the Hangzhou Asian Games and will try to regain his form over the next two weeks.

(Left) Ng Tsz Yau and (Right) Tsang Hiu Yan

(Left) Fan Ka Yan and (Right) Yau Mau Ying

In the women’s doubles qualifiers, Ng Tsz Yau and Tsang Hiu Yan took on fellow teammates Yau Mau Ying and Fan Ka Yan in an all-Hong Kong affairs. Ng and Tsang built a 7-0 lead in the first game before taking the game 21-16. They went on to win the second 21-19 and will meet Li Wenmui and Liu Xuanxuan of China in the round of 32.

Ng said she had been focusing on chasing an Olympic ticket in the mixed doubles and rarely took part in the women’s doubles. But her combination with Tsang was still in good form despite a lack of practice. Ng will also start in the mixed doubles with Reginald Lee Chun Hei as they meet compatriots Tang Chun Man and Tse Ying Suet in the opening round on Wednesday. Ng said he would take it just as another match and hoped the home ground atmosphere would raise her confidence.

(Right) Chang Tak Ching and (Left) Lui Lok Lok

Hong Kong also sent three other pairs to contend four slots in the mixed doubles main draw. Yeung Shing Choi and Fan Ka Yan lost to Yap Roy King and Valeree Siow of Malaysia in the mixed doubles 21-16, 21-11 while Chang Tak Ching and Lui Lok Lok were beaten by Chiu Hsiang Chieh and Liu Xiao Min of Chinese Taipei 21-17, 21-16. The third pair, Lui Chun Wai and Fu Chi Yan lost two games after deuce 22-20, 22-20 to Lee Jhe Huei and Hsu Ya Ching, also of Chinese Taipei.

（Left）Lui Chun Wai and (Right) Chow Hin Long

（Left）Law Cheuk Him and (Right) Yeung Shing Choi

Yeung Shing Choi rested for two hours before starting with Law Cheuk Him in the men’s doubles. Against Beh Chun Meng and Goh Boon Zhe of Malaysia, they took the first game 22-20 before winning the next 21-14. Yeung and Law were both excited for their victory and Yeung said he had learned from the defeat in the previous mixed doubles. “I was not too happy with my performance in the mixed doubles and therefore had to adjust my mentality and got in the game as quick as possible when playing in the men’s doubles,” he said. “I was able to play more open and handle the game much better and it is nice to start in the main draw in front of the home fans including my family.”

In another all-Hong Kong affairs men’s doubles qualifers, Chow Hin Long and Lui Chun Wai beat Chang Tak Ching and Hung Kuei Chun 21-13, 21-16 and will meet Mark Lamsfuss and Marvin Seidel of Germany in the opening round.

For Tournament Details：
VICTOR Hong Kong Open Badminton Championships 2023 part of the HSBC BWF World Tour Super 500