Division 1-Wisden Cup: A splendid win for Tjitte Weistra, Susannah Leydon in Mixed Doubles event
Waikato’s Mixed Doubles campaigners Tjitte Weistra and Susannah Leydon Davis showed elevated craft and overwhelmed Tom Armstrong-Michelle Chan in Division 1-Wisden Cup on August 11, 2012.
This epic tussle prolonged to three exhausting sets before ending with final figures of 23-25, 21-13 and 21-23.
Both teams, Waikato and Auckland, were equal with 7-7 match score position earlier but Tjitte and Susannah put all of their brilliance and experience in the game to save the team’s honour in local badminton arena of Hamilton in New Zealand.
They survived a neck-and-neck contest straight away in the beginning and then stamped their supremacy over the opposing team in closing segment of the battle.
Meanwhile, Tom and Michelle also earned great deal of respect for their commendable fighting skills and walked tall despite of losing this crucial tie.
The opening game set the overall pace of the match as both contenders played fast badminton and did not give their challengers a chance to get settled.
They remained toe-to-toe all the way to game point situation as neither of them could establish a permanent lead.
Later part of the game proved tough trial of their mental and physical toughness as they were locked in an edgy competition at game point situation.
However, Tjitte and Susannah showed strong character in this pressure situation and stole the limelight with a tight yet decisive margin of 25-23.
The Auckland campaigners did not lose heart after this and they stood full to their stature in the very next game.
This time Tom and Michelle changed their tactics as they launched a brisk attack and got into authoritative position straight away in the beginning.
They did not lose this tempo in first half and placed an indomitable total of 11 which ultimately proved real difference between the both teams.
After one-minute interval, they played with similar conviction and powered their way to victory with eight-point lead in 21-13 score.
Third set turned into tense competition as both contenders were desperately looking to fetch this final match point.
The decider remained on a knife’s edge until final moments and this tussle was resolved when Tjitte and Susannah put a winning total of 23-21.
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