European Universities Games: Vladimir Malkov, Yulia Zapolskaya gain access to quarter-final round
Mixed Doubles team Vladimir Malkov-Yulia Zapolskaya marched into quarter-finals of European Universities Games-Badminton Individual Tournament after stamping Tony Stephenson-Sinead Chambers on July 16, 2012.
This 45-minute pre quarter-final tussle held at Rafael Loza badminton arena of Cordoba, Spain and was resolved with 18-21, 21-17 and 22-20.
The Russian duo played with the right attitude and fortitude as they locked the honour despite of going down in opening set of the match.
Meanwhile, the top seeded pair Tony and Sinead could not capitalise their early advantage and surrendered in disgraceful manner.
In first set, they launched brisk attack and established a decent lead with 5-2 margin. They did not lose this rhythm and reached a dominating position of 9-4. This initial lead helped them to place a respectable total of 11-6 before the interval.
After the one-minute break, they lost focus and allowed their rivals to narrow the gap with 11-13 score on the board.
The twosome of Vladimir and Yulia accelerated their pace and put a fighting margin of 18 but they could not go with the same flow in the final moments and faced 18-21 defeat in first set.
However, they changed the scenario with a gutsy performance in very next game. This time they altered their plan of action and made swift progress straight away in the beginning.
In first half, they set the ball rolling after 2-4 and prevailed in five uninterrupted rallies to gain an early advantage with 7-4.
On the other hand, Tony and Sinead could not withstand their intensive campaign and kept trailing behind until half time.
Vladimir and Yulia, who are representing University of Saratov in this event, finished first half as leading contenders with 11-7 margin.
Though, they were bit off track in later part of the game but still they managed to end this match with favourable figure of 21-17.
This 1-1 match score position locked both contenders in tense situation as they were on the verge of a woeful exit.
Both teams put all in their possession to overpower the opponent but neither of them could make difference all the way to game point situation.
Finally, the Russian campaigners seize the honour with 22-20 and setup an encounter with German duo Alexander Roovers-Kim Buss in the round of eight.
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