Li Xuerui stuns Wang Xin in Women’s Singles semi-finals of 2012 London Olympics
China’s spirited female shuttler Li Xuerui continued with her top form and marched into final round of London Olympics after stamping Wang Xin at Wembley Arena on August 3, 2012.
Though, this Women’s Singles semi-final encounter was concluded in just two games but still both Chinese campaigners kept the audience intact while piling up final figures of 22-20 and 21-18.
The World Number three Li Xuerui performed beyond expectations and trounced her higher ranked and much experienced compatriot shuttler in a commendable manner.
Meanwhile, it definitely was not Wang Xin’s day as she lost despite putting up a great show of skills in the second last round of the mega event.
However, she is still racing for an Olympic medal as Indian badminton queen Saina Nehwal will be her competitor in the battle of the bronze medal.
On the other hand, Li Xuerui is scheduled to meet World Number one Wang Yihan in grand finale of London Games.
The 21-year-old Li will surely utilise her confidence which she has earned through a splendid straight-set win in the semi-finals.
She took some time to get settled but then never looked back after getting on the right track. She moved forward at top gear in most part of the first half but then a couple of mistakes put her expedition to halt.
Wang Xin, who was struggling earlier to revive her lost form, did not miss this opportunity and narrowed the gap with a few back-to-back points.
The second seeded shuttler stayed focused also after the interval and challenged her rival’s supremacy all the way to game point situation.
Both Chinese campaigners made every effort to tip the scale in their favour but then Li struck hard and finished this cliff-hanging tussle with a favourable result of 22-20.
Next game, which proved a decider later, was also played in same manner as neither player could gain a permanent lead throughout this crucial set.
In the first half, Li capitalised her first set win and established an early advantage but strong backlash of Wang Xin counter-balanced the situation.
They remained toe-to-toe until the third quarter of the game but then Li Xuerui locked the honour by registering a significant margin of 21-18.
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