2012 Korea Open: An impressive outing for Cheng Chi Ya – Badminton Feature
There were lots of laudable performers in recently concluded Korea Open but the young Taipei female shuttler Cheng Chi Ya managed to stand out with her brief yet impressive outing in this Grand Prix Gold event.
Women’s Singles expert Chi Ya started her campaign as an unseeded player and ended this prestigious badminton tournament by playing quarter-final match. She unseated higher rankled players like Lydia Li Ya Cheah and Carlos Ma Blanca Yasbel in the preliminary
stages.
Though, she could not continue this unbeatable run in the round of eight but still her honest effort against the second seeded Aprilla Yuswandari fetched great deal of respect for her.
Chi Ya’s first challenge was to surpass a Malaysian shuttler Lydia Li who was fifth seeded player of this tournament.
The Taipei campaigner did not show any sign of confusion in front of higher ranked opponent and locked a splendid straight-set victory. She played with great conviction and cleared first hurdle with a favourable result of 21-19 and 21-12.
In first set of the match, both contenders remained head-to-head until last shot was played and their honest effort was applauded by the local crowd.
The battle started with few back-to-back gruelling rallies and further heated up when both shuttlers put all they got to establish a comfortable lead. Neither of them could make a notable difference until the interval but Chi Ya struck hard in third quarter
of the set to tip the scale in her favour.
She maintained that advantage all the way to game point situation and finished the opening game with a significant margin of 21-19.
This timely win gave her a real boost and she played with even more conviction in the following game. She proved herself superior in all departments and wrapped this showdown in just two games with scoreboard flashing 21-12 total.
Her next challenger was a spirited shuttler Carlos Ma of Philippine and she amazed every one with a staggering knock in the second round. She took just 32 minutes to send her rival packing with 21-14 and 21-5 score.
Chi Ya played with an authoritative approach from very first stroke and maintained that aggression all the way to final moments.
In the opening game, she unleashed a flurry of masterly crafted strokes and kept her competitor busy just in returning to them. She constantly improvised her game plan and confounded Carlos Ma with an unbeatable strategy.
The Taipei shuttler bagged first match point with an impressive total of 21-14 and then put a commendable show of skills in second set of the match. She completely cornered her opponent in all areas of the game and claimed the victory with a staggering knock
of 21-5.
This marvelous success made her one of the top eight shuttlers of this Grand Prix Gold event and now she was scheduled to meet World Number 36 Aprilla Yuswandari in the quarter-finals. Though, she could not stretch her winning streak but still her valiant
effort proved her worth in the arena.
Both contenders remained head-to-head for three exhausting games and finally this nerve-racking contest ended when Aprilla locked the honour with a favourable result of 17-21, 21-12 and 22-20.
With this woeful defeat, Chi Ya booked her ticket to home but her impressive outing grabbed all the attentions of Taipei badminton lovers. She is receiving admirations from the critics and now she is expected to represent the country in coming International
tournaments.
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