The Rising Stars: Presley Smith and Allison Lee Claim Victory at the YONEX US Open 2023
On a historic day at the YONEX US Open 2023, the host nation celebrated a breakthrough in the mixed doubles category, thanks to the outstanding performance of two talented teenagers – Presley Smith, 19, and Allison Lee, 18.
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The quarterfinal match didn’t start off smoothly for Smith and Lee. They faced the experienced Australian pair of Kenneth Choo and Gronya Somerville, losing the first game 21-9. However, with a pep talk from their coach Shlok Ramchandran, they bounced back to win the second game 22-20 and secured the decider with a score of 21-15.
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This victory marked their second win against Choo and Somerville in just four weeks, as they had previously triumphed in a thrilling three-game battle at the Saipan International last month.
Smith, playing in his first HSBC BWF World Tour tournament with Lee, admitted, “We had to completely reset after that error-strewn opener. The second game was tough, but we had a lot of momentum coming into the third. We just pushed through with all that energy.”
Lee added, “Our coach kept reminding us to keep our composure and give it everything because we had come all the way to the quarterfinals. That helped a lot.”
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With this win, Smith and Lee became the first local mixed pair to reach the US Open semifinals since 2012. The last time a local pair brought home the prize was in 2009 when Howard Bach and Eva Lee achieved the feat. This achievement has ignited Smith and Lee’s ambition to aim for the ultimate crown.
“We are still undefeated, so let’s keep that going,” said Smith, who will be turning 20 on Sunday. “To be the ones ending such a long wait for mixed doubles semifinalists means a lot. It also shows that the USA can still compete with Asian and European countries. American badminton is growing all the time. Hopefully, we can do our part to further its growth.”
To progress further towards their desired destination, Smith and Lee now face the challenge of defeating the third-seeded Danish pair, Mathias Thyrri and Amalie Magelund, in the semifinals. The Danes earned their spot after defeating another American pair, Vinson Chiu and Jennie Gai, in a thrilling three-game encounter (21-10, 20-22, 21-14).
FAQs
Q: Who were the winners of the mixed doubles category at the YONEX US Open 2023?
A: Presley Smith, 19, and Allison Lee, 18, emerged victorious in the mixed doubles category at the YONEX US Open 2023.
Q: Did Smith and Lee face any challenges in their quarterfinal match?
A: Yes, they faced a tough challenge from the experienced Australian pair of Kenneth Choo and Gronya Somerville in their quarterfinal match.
Q: How did Smith and Lee secure their win in the quarterfinals?
A: After losing the first game, Smith and Lee received a pep talk from their coach, which helped them regain their momentum and ultimately win the match in three games.
Summary
In a remarkable display of skill and determination, Presley Smith and Allison Lee made history by becoming the first local mixed pair to reach the semifinals of the YONEX US Open since 2012. Despite a shaky start, the duo showcased their resilience and fought back to secure a hard-fought victory over the experienced Australian pair of Kenneth Choo and Gronya Somerville. This win has ignited their ambition to go even further and compete for the coveted crown. With American badminton on the rise, Smith and Lee hope to contribute to its growth and inspire future generations of players.
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