Guatemala’s Kevin Cordon reaches for the backhand return against South Korea’s Choi Pyeong Gang during their men’s singles match in round 2 of TakeCare Saipan International 2023 Wednesday at the Ada gym.
The NMI’s Andreau Galvez gathers for the return during his men’s singles match against Chinese Taipei’s Chen Chi Ting in round 2 of TakeCare Saipan International 2023 Wednesday at the Ada gym.
AFTER being eliminated in the Crowne Plaza Northern Marianas Open 2023 last week, Kevin Cordón of Guatemala bested South Korea’s Choi Pyeong Gang in a nail-biting three-game match in round two of TakeCare Saipan International 2023 on Wednesday at the Ada gym.
Cordón started off on the right foot as he quickly established control by scoring five consecutive points for a comfortable 11-3 lead.
Choi managed to break Cordón’s streak but only for a brief moment as the South Korean failed to stand his ground, allowing the Guatemalan to claim the first game, 21-11.
But Choi managed to turn the tide in the second game by playing aggressively to seize a double-digit advantage en route to victory, 21-9, which forced a third and final game.
Cordón played cautiously in the third game, but managed to set the tone as he reached the halfway mark while holding Choi to just four points, 11-4.
Undeterred, Choi used his opponent’s momentum to the South Korean’s advantage and gradually worked his way back within reach, 13-14.
But Cordón continued his onslaught, unleashing punishing returns to clinch the win, 21-16, and advance to round 3 where he will face Japan’s Ryoma Muramoto.
Muramoto moved forward after defeating Chinese Taipei’s Liu Wei Chi in another three-game match, 21-17, 16-21, 21-12.
Two NMI players, Paulo Quidato and Andreau Galvez, tasted victory in the opening round but were eliminated in round 2.
Quidato triumphed against Guam’s Allan Zeng, 21-9, 19-21, 22-20, but lost to Chinese Taipei’s Yang Yang, 6-21, 8-21.
Andreau Galvez defeated Guam’s Chen Yang Hu, 21-12, 21-12, but fell to Chinese-Taipei’s Chen Chi Ting, 5-21, 7-21.
The NMI’s Daniel Macario was ousted on Monday in round 1 after losing to South Korea’s Jeon Hyeok Jin, 3-21, 7-21.
On the same day, the NMI’s Ian Lubao was eliminated by Vietnam’s Nguyen Hai Dang, 4-21, 6-21 while another NMI player, Daniell Pablo, was defeated by Chinese-Taipei’s Chen Shao-Hsuan, 7-21, 4-21.
