High-flying Koreans Kim Won Ho/Seo Seung Jae were brought down to earth in the second round of the BANK OF NINGBO Badminton Asia Championships 2025 by Muhammad Shohibul Fikri/Daniel Marthin.
The Koreans suffered the earliest defeat of their partnership in six tournaments. Having figured in four finals and a semifinal, Kim and Seo’s spectacular run ended with the Indonesians surging ahead from 14-all in the third with six straight points, and then converting their second match point.
Kim Ga Eun
Korea had good news in women’s singles as well, when Kim Ga Eun halted a 10-match losing streak to Gregoria Mariska Tunjung, beating the No.4 seed in three games.
Having never beaten the Indonesian in all 10 previous matches, Kim fought from behind in the third game, turning around an early deficit and then winning nine of the last 10 points to enter the quarterfinals.
She was joined in the last eight by compatriot Sim Yu Jin, who upset defending champion and to seed Wang Zhi Yi in three games. Sim faces Natsuki Nidaira, who too pulled off an upset, beating No.8 seed Ratchanok Intanon 21-17 21-12.
In the second quarter, 2019 champion Akane Yamaguchi takes on Chen Yu Fei, who has never won this title. Yamaguchi was taken the distance by Pusarla V Sindhu, while Chen had it easier against Busanan Ongbamrungphan.
Highlights:
Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto
» In men’s singles, All England runner-up Lee Chia Hao ran short against Loh Kean Yew, with the Singaporean winning 21-15 21-15 to set up an intriguing quarterfinal against top seed Shi Yu Qi, who is looking for his maiden title.
» In mixed doubles, India’s Dhruv Kapila/Tanisha Crasto prevailed in a hard-fought battle against Ye Hong Wei/Nicole Gonzales Chan, 21-12 16-21 21-18 to set up a quarterfinal against Tang Chun Man/Tse Ying Suet.
» Women’s doubles saw in-form pair Mayu Matsumoto/Yuki Fukushima withdraw from their second round against Yeung Nga Ting/Yeung Pui Lam, who will take on top seeds Liu Sheng Shu/Tan Ning.
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