Japan’s Tomoka Miyazaki reaches for the backhand return during a game in the Crowne Plaza Northern Marianas Open 2023 at the Ada gym.
Photo by James F. Sablan Jr.
A REMATCH between South Korea’s Kim Ga Ram and Japan’s Tomoka Miyazaki may be in the works after both advanced into the women’s singles quarterfinal round of TakeCare Saipan International 2023 on Thursday at the Ada gym.
Kim Ga Ram, who edged Miyazaki in the finals of the Crowne Plaza Northern Marianas Open 2023 last week, secured her spot in the quarterfinals after sweeping past Chinese-Taipei’s Chen Su Yu in a two-game match.
There were several lead exchanges between Kim and Yu in game 1, but as the dust settled, the Korean seized the lead and eventually grasped the first win, 21-15.
As fatigue kicked in during game 2, Kim used it to her advantage as she relentlessly applied pressure and left Yu no time to recover.
After Kim scored five straight points, she swiftly established dominance en route to victory, 21-6.
Japan’s Manami Suizu, who defeated Chinese-Taipei’s Sung Shuo Yun 21-19, 21-15, will face Kim tomorrow for a spot in the semifinals.
Miyazaki made her way to the quarterfinals after outlasting Chinese-Taipei’s Lin Hsiang Ti.
It was an intense match as neither could gain proper control of the lead. But during crunch time, it was Miyazaki who reigned supreme as she clinched both games, 21-17, 21-15, to send her opponent packing.
Miyazaki will now go head-to-head with Chinese-Taipei’s Wang Yu Si, who eliminated compatriot Lee Yu-Hsuan, 21-19, 11-21, 21-11.
Also making it to the quarterfinals are Chinese-Taipei’s Tung Ciou-Tong who beat Vietnam’s Thi Anh Thu Vu, 21-14, 21-10; and Japan’s Asuka Takahashi who slipped past Chinese-Taipei’s Chiu Pin-Chian, 21-14, 21-17.
