Baek Choel, Hye Won serve notice of their potential in Korea Grand Prix Gold – Badminton Feature
Though, the 2012 edition of Korea Open could not see many prime shuttlers of badminton world participating in this Grand Prix Gold tournament but still there were many performances that grabbed all the attentions.
The newly formed Korean pair Shin Baek Choel-Eom Hye Won was real feast for the eyes in this tournament as both partners showed superb coordination and remained invincible in Mixed Doubles event.
World Number 52 duo performed beyond expectations and gave the local badminton lovers a solid reason to celebrate by claiming the crown despite of the presence of higher ranked teams like Yoo Yeon Seong-Jang Ye Na, Irfan Fadhilah-Weni Anggraini and Alfian
Eko Prasetya-Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja.
Baek Choel and Hye Won set themselves in motion with a splendid victory over Chia Bin Lu-Chi Ya Cheng of Chinese Taipei. This was their opening match of the home event and they lived up to the billing by sealing a 2-1 win.
Both partners looked bit confused in the first set but they managed to revive their confidence in the ending two games. They finished this tussle with a favourable result of 19-21, 22-20 and 21-16 and marched into the quarter-finals.
In round of eight, they were up against a lower ranked compatriot duo Kim Dae Eun-Yoo Hae Won and they had to put an extra effort to gain access to the second last round of this prestigious tournament.
Things got hostile for Baek Choel and Hye Won when they lost first match point. With such an unexpected development, it was felt that they will have to face an early exit from this tournament.
However, they did not lose heart and made amends in very next game. They played with great precision and their strategy was so complete that the opposing team could not find any loophole to manipulate.
Baek Choel and Hye Won started mounting pressure immediately in the beginning and their well placed strokes kept their rivals at the lower end in most part of this game. They ended this segment with a significant lead and then capitalised this psychological
edge also in the decider.
The lower ranked but talented Korean campaigners wrapped this showdown with an impressive result of 19-21, 21-16 and 21-18 and reserved their spot in the semi-final round.
This time they were scheduled to meet the second seeded team Irfan Fadhilah-Weni Anggraini of Indonesia and spectators were all set for a nerve-racking encounter. Both contenders challenged each other in all departments of game to ensure its presence in
the title match.
Initially, the Indonesian campaigners ruled the court and bagged first match point in a commendable fashion. They raised their chances of success by registering a concluding figure of 21-19.
However, things were not that much easy for them in next set as the twosome of Baek Choel and Hye Won showed an elevated craft and brought the contest to right balance. The Korean shuttlers swept the table with an amazing total of 21-11 and then relished
full benefits of their upper hand in the decider.
They placed an overwhelming score of 21-18 and surged into the final round of this GP Gold event. The title match subjected them to a tough trial as the top seeded Korean team Yoo Yeon Seong-Jang Ye Na was waiting for them.
Both compatriot pairs remained head-to-head for three gruelling sets and finally this cliff-hanging tussle belonged to Baek Choel-Hye Won with 11-21, 21-18 and 25-23 margin.
Though, this international title has fetched great deal of admiration and respect for them but still they will have to develop a winning habit to make a long lasting impact in the arena. This GP Gold title has increased their responsibilities and they are
expected to raise country’s flag also in the upcoming badminton tournaments.
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