Wang, Barredo near Nat’l Open rematch

Defending champion Lili Wang of Bingo Bonanza and second seed Sarah Joy Barredo of Smash Pilipinas pulled off contrasting wins Friday to advance to the singles quarterfinals of the Smart National Open Badminton tournament at Powersmash Badminton Center in Makati City.

Wang won via walkover over Irish Queen Molina of FEU/ETC while Barredo slammed No. 8 Maridel Rivera of FEU/ETC, 21-9, 21-12, to advance to the last eight. Wang will next take on Beatrice Felizardo of Team ABR, who downed Tricia Pomar of FEU/ETC, 21-14, 21-13, while Barredo will face FEU’s Michal Dei Duquilla, a 21-13, 21-15, 21-16 winner over UP’s Susmita Ramos.

Barredo topped the Bingo Bonanza Open last week and is bracing for a potential rematch with Wang, who beat her 21-10, 15-21, 21-17 in last year’s finals.

Also marching to the next round were seventh seed Mariya Anghela Sevilla of Smash Pilipinas, Indonesian Jessica Muljati of Bingo Bonanza, No. 6 Monica Rivera of Smash Pilipinas and top seed Pauline Marie Tan of UP.

Fancied Michael Kevin Cudiamat of Smash Pilipinas and defending champion Mark Shelley Alcala of Allied/NVBA also advanced in the men’s singles draw.