Eriko Hirose defeats Porntip Buranaprasertsuk in quarter-final of the US Open GP Gold 2011
Japan’s Eriko Hirose delivered a stunning performance as she defeated Porntip Buranaprasertsuk of Thailand in the Women’s Singles quarter-final of the US Open GP Gold 2011, in California, on Thursday, July 14.
Eriko spent 40 minutes to send Porntip packing in a thrilling straight-set fight where both shuttlers delivered a superb performance by playing top-class badminton.
Fifth seed of the event, Hirose, who is also World Number 17, started the opening set in an impressive manner as she was in good control of the game. World Number 11, Porntip, tried her best to dominate the game but failed as her opponent was playing with
precision.
The score progressed without any shuttler having a comfortable lead until the ending phase of the opening game. However, Hirose played superb badminton in the end and secured a one-set lead by winning the opening game with a 21-19 margin, in 19 minutes.
The second game of the match was more thrilling, as both ladies were neck-to-neck and refused to allow each other to take a good advantage. Both shuttlers were displaying top-class badminton and the huge crowd could not have asked for a more thrilling encounter.
At the interval, the Japanese was just ahead at 11-10.
After the break, both shuttlers were again close in the whole game as nobody could build a comfortable gap. Porntip tried to change her tactics, but the perfect play of the Japanese left no room for the Thai to score points.
The Japanese was playing in impressive fashion, as she anticipated her challenger’s strokes on several occasions, which built pressure on Porntip. Hirose finished the second game after a stunning fight with a tight margin of 22-20, in 21 minutes. The match
ended in 40 minutes with a 21-19 and 22-20 score on the board.
In the Women’s Singles semi-final, Eriko will be up against Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei, who powered her way into the top-4 after beating Lu Lan of China in the quarter-final of the event.
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