MB Hanoi Cup 2026: Streaks Broken, Thrillers Delivered on Quarterfinal Day
Twenty matches. Five events. One packed quarterfinal day at the MB Hanoi Cup 2026 that had everything.
The Streak Is Over
Chao Yi Wang arrived in Hanoi unbeaten in Women’s Doubles in Asia. Three events in 2025, three golds — the MB Vietnam Cup and Panas Malaysia Cup with Kaitlyn Christian, then the Vibrant Linping Hangzhou Open with Alix Truong. Nobody on this side of the world had beaten her in the event.
Brooke Buckner and Wang nearly kept it that way. After dropping the first game 4–11, they found their rhythm, took the second 11–9, and had all the momentum heading into the third. It took everything Anna Leigh Waters and Anna Bright had to close it out 11–8.
For Bright, there’s a redemption angle worth noting. Her first Women’s Doubles appearance in Asia ended at the quarterfinals at the Panas Malaysia Cup 2025. She’s in the semis now — with the most decorated player in the game beside her.
Staksrud and Wong Deliver the Match of the Day
Federico Staksrud and Jack Wong Hong-kit went to war in Men’s Singles. Wong took the first 11–7. Staksrud levelled with the second 11–6. The third went point for point all the way to 12–10 — cat and mouse at its finest.
Staksrud is still chasing his first gold in Asia after taking bronze at the Vibrant Linping Hangzhou Open. He is now two wins away.
Vietnam on Both Sides of the Draw
The Men’s Singles semifinals have two Vietnamese players on opposite halves of the bracket, and an all-Vietnamese final is still very much on the table.
Hien Truong—who collected a silver and a bronze in Men’s Singles across the 2025 season without topping a podium—faces Staksrud. On the other side, reigning Vibrant Linping Hangzhou Open champion Hoang Nam Ly is looking to go back-to-back. His quarterfinal was a statement: an 11–3, 11–0 demolition of Tama Shimabukuro that left little doubt about his intentions.
The hometown crowd got exactly what it came for.
Mixed Doubles: No Surprises
All four top seeds came through in Mixed Doubles. Waters and Johns, Bright and Patriquin, Christian and Alshon, and Black and Tardio all advanced without incident. Chalk across the board.
Semifinal action at the MB Hanoi Cup 2026 begins Saturday at 8:00 a.m. (GMT+7), with singles first up on Championship Court.
