Badminton: Kiwis blitzed out of home open by stellar visitors

Hsueh Hsuan Yi of Taiwan beat Tang Jie Chen of Malaysia 21-13, 21-19 at the NZ Open yesterday. Photo / Nick Reed

It was a tough opening round for the Kiwi players when the New Zealand Open began at the North Shore Events Centre yesterday. But there's no surprise in that, given the high quality of the field for the US$120,000 ($156,000) SkyCity-sponsored Open.

All the New Zealand women bowed out in the first round of singles against international opposition.

Vicki Copeland and 14-year-old Tamara Otene went out in straight games to Taiwan's Hung Shih Han and Japan's Natsuki Nidaira respectively.

"That was so nerve-racking," said Westlake Girls High pupil Otene, the youngest player in the field.

"It was very intimidating but a good experience to help me when I am older and playing international tournaments."

Australian Alice Wu cleaned up Rebecca Goddard 21-10, 21-12, Gaea Mari Galvez won 15 points against Malaysia's Julia Pein Xian Wong; another Australian, Tiffany Ho, beat Alyse Derby 21-16, 21-10 and Soomi Lina Lee lost to Indonesian Maria Kusumastuti.

In the men's singles, there was a pointer to the calibre of the field when sixth-seeded Indonesian Simon Santoso was eliminated in straight games by China's world junior champion, Lin Gui Pu, 21-12, 21-9.

"I have been practising very hard to be ready for this match and this tournament. I think my physical condition helped me to win this game," Pu said.

New Zealander Christopher Steeghs was beaten by number one seed, Hsu Jen Hao. Photo / Nick Reed

Men's top seed Hsu Jen Hao of Taiwan easily won his opening game against outclassed New Zealander Christopher Steeghs.

Hao is playing his sixth tournament without a break and, with Pu, was due to play his second round match later last night.

New Zealand did have success in the form of Dylan Soedjasa, who won his first round match against fellow Kiwi Ben Hillier.

However, he was beaten 21-8, 21-10 by ninth seed Wei Feng Chong of Malaysia in his second round clash.