Gunji fires through 3-set thriller for women’s title

Women’s singles No. 6 seed Japan’s Riko Gunji added another title to her collection as she fired her way through three tough sets in the finals of the last Badminton World Federation Grade 3 International Challenge tournament on Saipan—the Dove Saipan International 2024—last Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The 2019 World Junior Championship winner, who has won two of her last four tournaments this year—including the Dove tourney—went up against formidable foe and fellow countrywoman, No. 8 seed Asuka Takahashi.

Both were equally matched throughout as the finals brought out the best in them—from acrobatic reaches, cat-like reflexes, and mind games—it was a thrilling match from start to finish. However, 21-year-old Gunji came out on top and wrapped it up an hour later, 21-14, 14-21, 21-16.

Gunji could’ve gotten the title after the first set as she left Takahashi gasping for air, but Takahashi took a deep breath in the second and regained composure and confidence to force a tie breaker.

Takahashi got her revenge in the second and left Gunji in her dust as she mimicked the score she put up against her in the first set. Takahashi had to pause the match a couple of times because of needing a band aid on her finger, but continued to play as though she wasn’t hurt. Gunji was left to defend most of the time and battled hard for her points as Takahashi controlled the reins.

Takahashi drew first blood and took that momentum forward as she pulled away from a fighting Gunji—which resulted in the biggest lead she had in the match, 17-12, then 18-13.

Gunji then struggled to get back into fighting form and would go on to score just one more point as Takahashi triumphed and pushed the match into a winner-take-all tie breaking third set.

The climax culminated in a finals matchup that could’ve gone either way as both players fought their hearts out. The lead trampolined between the two with the crowd on the edge of their seats the whole time.

Takahashi didn’t stray behind Gunji too far, but Gunji dug in and found the strength and mental awareness to force Takahashi to make errors. Gunji then found her stride after a 13-13 tie and left Takahashi reeling with three straight unanswered points. Takahashi then replied and tied it up once again, 16-16.

But Gunji tired out Takahashi with long volleys and better placed smashes. After retaking the lead, 17-16, Gunji locked in and didn’t let go of her service until the end as she landed the final four points, 21-16.

Gunji found herself in the finals after upsetting No. 3 Sih Yun Lin in the quarterfinals last Friday, and discarding unseeded Yu-Chi Yang in the semis on the same day.

After her finals matchup, Gunji said, “It was a long game, but I’m glad I was able to persevere until the end and win.” As for the first tournament, the Crowne Plaza Northern Marianas Open 2024, she said, “Last week I fell ill and had to withdraw, but I’m glad I was able to make it to the finals this week.”

Results of the mixed doubles, women’s doubles, and men’s doubles will be posted in the next issues of Saipan Tribune.