Seo Seung Jae and Chae Yu Jung kissing the trophy in 2018.
Smashing Stats: Australian Open 2023
Tuesday, August 1, 2023
TEXT BY PREM KUMAR | BADMINTONPHOTO
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SATHIO GROUP Australian Open 2023 returns bigger as a Super 500 event following a three-season run as a 300. Here are some fascinating facts about the competition founded in 1989.
If successful, Zhang/Zheng will be the first women’s pair in 30 years, since Australians Lisa Campbell/Amanda Hardy in 1993, to triumph twice in a row.
For third seeds Seo and Chae, glory would make them just the second three-time mixed doubles winners in tournament history, after He Tim/Anna Lao (1989-1991). Seo/Chae also won in 2018.
Seo is also the sole shuttler seeded in two events (No.8 in men’s doubles with Kang Min Hyuk). Korean Kim Min Seo in 2010 was the most recent double titlist at the same edition (women’s and mixed doubles).
With three seeds – Ratchanok Intanon (2), Pornpawee Chochuwong (3) and Supanida Katethong (6), Thailand will hope to finallycelebrate a women’s singles champion. The Thais have not had a finalist in the discipline after Nichaon Jindapon in 2013.
Among countries waiting for their maiden titlist (s) but have seeded entries are Singapore (men’s singles No.4 Loh Kean Yew) and USA (women’s singles No.4 Beiwen Zhang).
Standout Stat: From 2011, China have continuously produced winners at every edition.