Exciting Matches Highlight PPA Tour Asia’s MB Hanoi Cup

The PPA Tour Asia’s MB Hanoi Cup showcased intense quarter-final and semi-final matches, culminating in an all-Asian final for men's singles. Federico Staksrud faced a surprising defeat, while Hien Truong and Hoang Nam Ly advanced. In women's doubles, top seeds Anna Leigh Waters and Anna Bright also secured their place in the finals. The tournament highlights the rising prominence of Asian players in the sport, promising an exciting conclusion.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 4, 2026, 15:04 IST

Thrilling Quarter-Finals and Semi-Finals at MB Hanoi Cup

The quarter-finals and semi-finals of the PPA Tour Asia’s MB Hanoi Cup took place on April 4 at the My Dinh Indoor Athletics Arena in Hanoi, showcasing a series of tightly contested matches that determined the finalists. Out of 19 matches, seven went to the full distance, underscoring the fierce competition. The men's singles final will feature two players from Asia, Hien Truong and Hoang Nam Ly.

One of the most notable encounters occurred in the men's singles quarter-finals, where the top seed, Federico Staksrud, narrowly defeated the sixth seed, Hong Kit “Jack” Wong, with scores of 7-11, 11-6, 12-10. The match was influenced by the humid conditions and the JOOLA ball, which slowed the pace and resulted in extended rallies. Staksrud remarked, “Jack is an incredible player, particularly in these conditions. The slower ball allows him to be both aggressive and strategic. I enjoy playing under these circumstances; the challenge is exhilarating.”

However, Staksrud's journey ended in the semi-finals when he faced Hien Truong, losing 11-7, 4-11, 11-5 in a surprising turn of events. Truong's victory, along with Hoang Nam Ly's commanding win over Dylan Frazier (11-3, 11-0), set the stage for an all-Asian final in the men's singles.

Nam Ly, who had previously upset Christian Alshon in an earlier round, continued to impress, highlighting the increasing prominence of Asian athletes in the sport.

In the women's doubles, the top-seeded duo of Anna Leigh Waters and Anna Bright faced a tough challenge in the quarter-finals but managed to defeat the fifth seeds, Chao Yi “Zoey” Wang and Brooke Buckner, with scores of 11-4, 9-11, 11-8. After establishing a solid lead in the final game, they were momentarily pressured but ultimately secured the win after over an hour of play. Waters commented, “Game 2 felt similar to Game 3; we had a significant lead, but [Zoey and Brooke] started to close the gap. Instead of becoming anxious, we focused on playing aggressively and energizing the crowd.”

Waters and Bright carried their momentum into the semi-finals, where they triumphed over Tina Pisnik and Jessie Irvine with a score of 11-3, 11-2, earning their spot in the final against Tyra Black and Catherine Parenteau.

With unexpected outcomes reshaping the men's singles bracket and the top seeds advancing in women's doubles, the tournament in Hanoi promises an exciting conclusion.