India Open 2012: Tontowi Ahmad, Liliyana Natsir prove their eligibility for the crown
Mixed Doubles event of Yonex Sunrise India open got its first finalist when the Indonesian pair Tontowi Ahmad-Liliyana Natsir showered their expertise against Lee Yong Dae-Ha Jung Eun in semi-final match on April 28, 2012.
The World Number three duo served notice of their supremacy by stamping their challengers in just two games with a commendable total of 21-7 and 21-14.
Tontowi-Liliyana demonstrated unbeatable badminton skills in 29 minutes and earned a great deal of admiration from the local crowd.
In opening game of the match, they launched a brisk attack and the Korean duo did not have any answer to their intensive game-play.
The Indonesians forged a fruitful chemistry and proved their tactical and technical authority over their opponents. They established an unassailable lead by registering 7-0 score immediately after the start.
Tontowi-Liliyana, also ranked second in the event, strengthen their grip with 11-3 until half-time and their scintillating effort placed them prominently ahead of their competitors in later part of the game as well.
They added seven consecutive points in their total to stand at 18-4 and then they bagged first set with a remarkable total of 21-7.
However, the World Number eight pair Yong Dae-Jung Eun matched their skills to some extent in the following game.
This time they were better in reading their rivals’ game as they kept them grounded in first half until 6-6 but their challengers changed their tactics and managed to stay ahead until mid-game break.
After the interval, the Koreans met expectations of their supporters and narrowed the gap with some deceiving drop net shots which fetched four valuable points for them in the second set.
However, they could not put halt to their competitor’s expedition as the Indonesians continued moving forward with their brilliantly crafted strokes.
Though, they were just a nail ahead at 15-13 but they reinforced their dominance with their invincible attack in last stages.
They clinched six points out of final seven and transpired at the end with scoreboard flashing 21-14 in their favour.
The duo of Tontowi-Liliyana will now lock horns with Thai couple Sudket Prapakamol-Saralee Thoungthongkam for the Mixed Doubles crown.
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