Anastasia Prokopenko proves her worth in title match of European Club Championships 2012
Women’s Singles expert Anastasia Prokopenko of Primorye badminton club performed exceedingly well and put her team on the right track in title match of European Club Championships on June 2, 2012.
World Number 42 shuttler bagged opening point for her team by defeating Mette Poulsen with 21-14, 19-21 and 21-19.
This epic 61-minute tussle was first Women’s Singles tie of final encounter between Team Skælskør-Slagelse and Primorye club.
Anastasia relished benefits of her experience at international level and kept her lower ranked rival in control in most part of the game.
Though, Mette Poulsen brought match to right balance by winning second set but she failed to tip the scale in her favour.
In opening set the match, the Russian girl opted invincible strategy and outclassed her rival in all areas of the game.
She gained an immediate advantage with some consecutive points and put a huge burden on the shoulders of the opposing shuttler. She placed a decent total of 11 until mid-game break.
Anastasia lost focus for short period of time after the interval which allowed her opponent to narrow the gap in third quarter of the set. But soon she proved that her defence is as strong as her attack.
She wrapped first segment of the show with score-board flashing 21-14 total in her favour.
However, it was not all okay in the second set of the match as Mette Poulsen stormed back with a strong reply and turned her plans of a straight-set win into dust.
The Dutch campaigner was bit careful in start as she played defensive badminton but later part of the game saw her everywhere on the court.
Though, she trailed behind Anastasia but still she did not allow her to establish an unassailable lead in first half of the set.
After one-minute break, the Russian shuttler doubled her lead with some nonstop rallies but then she committed some fatal mistakes which triggered the collapse.
The spirited shuttler Mette did not miss this chance and caught her competitor at 19 and then levelled match score with final figure of 21-19.
Third and final set turned a nerve-racking contest as both ladies were now standing equal and they put all they got to oust each other. They remained toe-to-toe all the way to game point situation and made this encounter memorable.
First half was dominated by Mette Poulsen who was in high spirit after bagging second set but Anastasia played with right attitude and fortitude in final moments. She registered final margin of 21-19 and sealed first match point for her team.
This win provided right momentum to Primorye badminton club as its shuttlers ended this epic battle with convincing figure of 4-2 and seized the crown in European Club Championships 2012.
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