XD QF Round
8 pairs duked it out, but it wasn't til the last XD match, where the fans saw perhaps the most exciting and nerve-wrecking match of the day.


..Sorry again for the not-so-sharp pics..
- Tony Gunawan & Minarti Timur vs. Rudy Wijaya & Lili Wang - the 2 veteran pairs squared off first, but it was the crowd favorite who prevailed in the end. Once again, it was the age-less Minarti who set up the many smashes fom Tony as well as some splendid cross court net shots which drew some "Oohs and aahs" from the crowd, with the expected around of applauses.


A very enjoyable match, nonetheless and we probably won't see another match from these 2 doubles specialist legend again.
- Howard Bach & Eva Lee vs. Tadashi Ohtsuka & Satoko Suetsuna - The current U.S. Nationals played and showed why they deserved the title this past Spring. With Lee setting up the attack and Bach pouncing and pounding his way to the gut of the JPN pair, it was an easy victory for the U.S. pair.
- Mike Beres & Valeri Loker vs. Kennevic Asuncion & Kennie Asuncion - With the support of the Philippines crowd in the bleachers, the sibling Asuncion combo never let down their concentration and kept the pressure on the Canadians. In the end, with the great PHIL crowd support, it was Loker who had to fend off most of attacks from the PHIL pair and the Asuncion siblings made sure they booked their way in the Semis,
- Halim Haryanto & Grace Peng vs. Keita Masuda & Miyuki Maeda - What a match it was!

With the U.S. pair dominating & smashing their way to victory in the 1st game, it seemed like they would be on their way to the Semis. But NOOO, it wasn't to be. Lo & behold in the 2nd game, everything seemed to crumble and fall apart for the U.S. pair. As the match extended in the 2nd game and the JPN gained more confidence, the JPN pair closed off the 2nd game after Peng's net shot went wide and out. It was downhill from there for the U.S. pair as they just lost their concentration, and perhaps their energy in the 3rd game. Even with Tony's coaching and the crowd support, it was the JPN who took advantage and made less errors in the 3rd game, as Halim seemed to make really costly mistakes. With some support from the Philippines crowd who shouted "Let's go Miyuki", the younger and fitter JPN pair stormed their way and eventually closed the match. In the end, a disappointed crowd gave their last cheer to the 2 pairs who played their hearts out.