2012 BWF Superseries Finals: Xu Chen, Ma Jin prove their worth in Mixed Doubles group stage
China’s prime Mixed Doubles pair Xu Chen-Ma Jin performed according to the expectations and thrashed Sudket Prapakamol-Saralee Thoungthongkam in a group match of BWF Superseries Finals on December 13, 2012.
This epic tussle lasted for three exhausting sets and both teams kept the audience intact while registering concluding figures of 21-14, 18-21 and 21-12.
World Number one Chinese duo prevailed in the opening and ending segments of the showdown while the opposing team could win only the second set.
The twosome of Sudket and Saralee looked completely off colour in most part of this battle and their passive approach led them to a woeful defeat.
In the opening game, Xu Chen and Ma Jin showed superb coordination and gained an early advantage.
They relished full benefits of home ground and raised their chances of success by piling up an indomitable total of 11 before the interval.
After the mid-game break, both partners gathered some pace and made a notable difference on the points table.
They bagged most of the ending points and finished this set with scoreboard flashing 21-14 margin in their favour.
The second set was full of drama as it was dominated by the Chinese campaigners in the beginning but then the Thai shuttlers showed an elevated craft and turned the tables.
This time Sudket and Saralee played cautiously in the establishing rallies and gradually increased their pace.
They remained at the lower end until mid-game break and started second half of the set with a three-point deficit.
However, they prevailed in couple of consecutive rallies and tipped the scale in their favour. They maintained that momentum and cruised to victory with an impressive result of 18-21.
Third set turned crucial with this development as both teams were equal in match score position. The spectators were expecting a nerve-racking contest but their thirst was not filled as Xu Chen-Ma Jin made it a one-sided affair.
They set the ball rolling in the beginning and strengthened their grip with 11-6 total. After the one-minute interval, they played with even more precision and locked the honour with a convincing figure of 21-12.
Now the victorious duo will lock horns with Tontowi Ahmad-Liliyana Natsir of Indonesia.
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