2012 Canada Open: Chung Jen, Ya Lan roar in opening round of Mixed Doubles event
Mixed Doubles experts Chung Jen Chen and Ya Lan Chang enthralled Sergiy Shatenko-Alex Bruce in the opening match and marched into second round of the Yonex Canada Open on July 11, 2012.
This first round match prolonged to 33 minutes before ending with 14-21, 24-22 and 21-18 after three exhausting sets.
The Richmond Oval badminton arena was filled to the brim as the huge crowd assembled to support the native shuttlers.
Sergiy Shatenko and Alex Bruce aroused their hopes by clinching the first set but they disappointed their supporters in final two segments.
Meanwhile, the spirited shuttlers of Chinese Taipei showed strong character in pressure situations and passed this tough trial with distinction.
In first set of the match, the Canadian campaigners laid foundation of their supremacy by gathering five consecutive points after 3-5 total.
They maintained this initial lead all the way to mid-game break and finished the first half with respectable margin of 11-8.
After the interval, they kept their challengers under control and established a five-point lead in third quarter of the set.
This deficit proved final blow to the opposing team who could not rise until last moment and lost opening game with 14-21 score on the board.
Next segment added more thrill into contest as both contenders made every effort to achieve their respective goals.
They remained toe-to-toe as neither team could gain a comfortable advantage until game point situation.
In first half, the local duo relished full benefits of 1-0 lead and placed a decent total of 11 before the announcement of break.
However, they lost that touch in second half and allowed their competitors to bounce back into the contest.
Chung Jen and Ya Lan put a laudable effort and avoided straight-set defeat by registering decisive figure of 24-22.
The Taipei players did not lose this rhythm and served notice of their supremacy in the third set.
Though, they remained under their rivals’ influence in the beginning but a couple of fruitful rallies helped them to come out of that phase.
They stunned the opposing team in final stage and raised their hands after putting up a convincing margin of 21-18.
Now they will lock horns with another Canadian pair Samuel Wadsworth-Wai Yin Lee in pre quarter-finals of the event.
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