New Zealand’s Edward Lau prevented hosts Australia from claiming all five titles as the VICTOR Oceania Championships 2024 concluded in Geelong on Thursday.
With hosts Australia having won all four previous finals, third seed Lau stepped up against 15th seed Shrey Dhand. Lau put the first game out of his opponent’s reach with an uninterrupted nine-point streak taking him to 18-8 from 9-8. It was closer in the second game, but from 14-all Lau won seven of the next eight points to take the title, 21-15 21-15.
Lau had had a shot at a double as he featured in the mixed doubles final as well. Second seeds Lau and Shaunna Li gave a good account of themselves against top seeds Kenneth Zhe Hooi Choo/Gronya Somerville, going down in three games, 21-11 25-27 21-14.
Somerville also had a chance for a double, as she was in the women’s doubles final with Kaitlyn Ea. However, the second seeds fell short against top seeds Setyana Mapasa/Angela Yu 21-18 21-11.
In women’s singles, Tiffany Ho beat compatriot Yuelin Zhang 22-20 21-12, while in men’s doubles, seventh seeds Lukas Defolky/Huaidong Tang got the better of second seeds Adam Jeffrey/Dylan Soedjasa 21-13 21-17.
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Australian Ho celebrates winning the women’s singles.
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