Li Xuerui outshines Kaori Imabeppu in pre quarter-finals of Indonesia Open – Badminton news
China’s prime female shuttler Li Xuerui showed her class in the pre quarter-finals of Djarum Indonesia Open and sent Kaori Imabeppu packing on Thursday, June 13, 2013.
This 42-minute Women’s Singles encounter was staged at the local badminton arena of Jakarta where both shuttlers put a great show of skills while piling up the final figures of 21-17 and 21-18.
Although the Japanese player showed great fighting spirit and stood tall in both games but luck was not on her side and she had to face a straight-set defeat. On the other hand, the reigning Olympic champion Li Xuerui moved forward to quarter-finals with
this splendid win.
The World Number one Chinese campaigner did not waste time and gained decent advantage on points table in first set of match. She played flawless badminton and doubled the total in next couple of rallies.
This intensive attack proved too much for the inexperienced Kaori as she kept trailing behind in most part of the game. Meanwhile, Li Xuerui widened the gap on points table and finished first half of the set with a significant total of 11.
After the one-minute interval, she lost focus in few back-to-back rallies and allowed Kaori to proceed on the points table. The Japanese player did not fritter away this opportunity and lessened the gap by claiming many vital points in a row.
However, Li managed to reinstate her dominance when it mattered and won this crucial game with 21-17 score on the board.
The following game was also played in similar manner as the Chinese shuttler thundered and blundered respectively in the opening and middle of the set. She remained at the lower end in third quarter of the set but then a strong backlash helped her to tip
the scale in her favour.
At first, she levelled the score and then established a decent lead of three points in final moments. She maintained that upper hand all the way to game point situation and sealed her straight-set victory with 21-18 total.
With this splendid win, she earned the right to be in round of eight where Bae Yeon Ju will be waiting for her.
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