Team USA’s Allison Lee connects the back hand return as teammate Presley Smith looks on during their TakeCare Saipan International mixed doubles finals match against Chinese-Taipei’s Wei Chun Wei and Nicole Gonzales Chan on Sunday at the Ada gym.
TEAM USA’s Presley Smith and Allison Lee overcame Chinese Taipei’s Wei Chun Wei and Nicole Gonzales Chan in the mixed doubles finale of TakeCare Saipan International 2023 Sunday at the Ada gym.
It was a faced-paced match from start to finish.
Game 1 had both teams fighting for control but with neither able to gain a proper lead. However, when it came down to the last few possessions, Wei and Chan came out victorious and won by just two points, 22-20.
After getting their feet wet, USA returned to game 2 with more determination. Smith and Lee maintained the forward pressure and despite Chinese-Taipei’s quick returns, the Americans kept at it long enough to clinch their first win, 21-18.
In the third and final game, fatigue started to play a factor for Chinese-Taipei as Wei and Chan gradually lost momentum, which allowed USA to score five consecutive points to gain the distance.
Although Wei and Chan eventually found their second wind, it was too late as Smith and Lee gained the double-digit advantage and eased their way to victory, 21-14, to claim the mixed doubles title.
Women’s doubles
For their part, Chinese-Taipei’s Hsu Ya Ching and Lin Wan Ching bagged the women’s doubles title after sweeping Japan’s Sayaka Hobara and Yui Suizu.
Chinese-Taipei established dominance in game 1, scoring five consecutive points en route to victory, 21-10.
Japan adjusted accordingly in game 2 and stayed within reach. But they failed to put a stop Chinese-Taipei’s offensive pressure and had to settle for defeat, 18-21
Men’s singles
Japan’s Takuma Obayashi bested South Korea’s Jeon Hyeok Jin to win the men’s singles title.
Game 1 had both players going head-to-head, but it was Obayashi who reigned supreme, 21-19. Unfortunately, Jin could not find an answer the second time around as Obayashi once again held the distance and clinched the win, 21-16, to win the title.
