2012 National Circuit GP Finals: Lydia Cheah, Sonia Cheah make way into final round
Women’s Doubles partners Lydia Cheah Li Ya and Sonia Cheah Su Ya showed commendable coordination in the semi-finals of Maybank National Circuit Grand Prix Finals and powered their way to final round on December 29, 2012.
They were up against the compatriot duo Sannatasah Saniru-Tee Jing Yi in local badminton arena of Alor Setar, Malaysia.
This epic tussle lasted for three exhausting sets and both teams kept the audience intact while piling up decisive figures of 21-13, 14-21 and 21-18.
The victorious duo claimed the opening and ending match points whereas the opposing team could show its brilliance only in the second set.
In first set of the match, Lydia and Sonia forged fruitful chemistry and established an unassailable lead.
They bagged couple of consecutive points and placed a decent total of 6-2. This early advantage proved a real boost for them as both Malaysian players strengthened their grip before the mid-game break.
They finished first half of the set with a respectable figure of 11 and resumed their campaign after the interval in high spirit.
Latter part of the game was completely dominated by Lydia and Sonia as they bagged ten out of ending 13 points and won this crucial set with 21-13 score.
The following game changed the scenario as Sannatasah Saniru and Tee Jing showed a transformed character and brought the contest to right balance.
This time they did not show any sign of confusion and played with great control from very first stroke.
They did not wait for the right moment and unleashed a series of power packed smashes to push their challengers on back foot.
Though, Lydia and Sonia strived hard to counterbalance the situation but they could not tip the scale in their favour until final margin of 14-21.
However, the decider was a nerve-racking contest as both Malaysian pairs put a splendid show of skills and made the crowd gasp.
They stood toe-to-toe until game point situation and this crucial tussle ended when Lydia and Sonia registered a favourable score of 21-18.
Now they will lock horns with Amelia Alicia Anscelly-Soong Fie Cho in title match of Maybank National Circuit Grand Prix Finals.
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