2012 London Olympics: Chai Biao, Guo Zhendong stamp Vladimir Ivanov, Ivan Sozonov in group match
Men’s Doubles experts Chai Biao-Guo Zhendong continued with their top form and intercepted Vladimir Ivanov-Ivan Sozonov in group match of London Olympics at Wembley Arena on July 30, 2012.
This Group C encounter remained in full swing for two hard fought games and was resolved with 23-21 and 21-15 margin.
Though, the Russian campaigners played with great conviction but they could not end this tussle in a favourable manner.
On the other hand, the victorious Chinese couple gained control of the game after a slow start and sealed a splendid straight-set win.
However, the real challenge awaits them in next clash where the World Number seven duo will be up against third seeded Danish team Mathias Boe-Carsten Mogensen.
The twosome of Chai Biao and Guo Zhendong will surely utilise their confidence which they have earned through a remarkable performance in the previous match.
They were bit sluggish in the start as they could not make difference in opening rallies but then few back-to-back points took them to dominating position before the mid-game break.
Meanwhile, Vladimir and Ivan strived hard to narrow the gap but they could not stop their challengers from placing a respectable total of 11 points before half time.
Later part of the game was full of sensation as the Russians were in strong position to bag first set at one stage but then Chai Biao-Guo Zhendong came in their way.
The Chinese maestros reinstated their dominance with couple of productive rallies in the end and finished first set with a tight yet decisive figure of 23-21.
They did not lose this momentum also in the following game and transformed 1-0 lead into a straight-set victory.
This time they did not waste time and launched a brisk attack to gain an early advantage over their competitors.
In first half, they stepped forward at consistent pace and left the opposing team far behind with a score position of 11.
The partnership of Chai Biao and Guo Zhendong looked at its best in the second half as both partners bagged eight out of last eleven points and wrapped the decider with final result of 21-15.
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