London Olympics: Li Xuerui tames Tai Tzu Ying in Women’s Singles pre quarter-finals
Women’s Singles expert Li Xuerui elevated China’s chances for an Olympic medal as she paved a path to quarter-finals of London Games after intercepting Tai Tzu Ying on Wednesday, August 1, 2012.
This pre quarter-final battle held at court number one of Wembley Arena concluded in just two games with decisive figures of 21-16 and 23-21.
The victorious shuttler will lock horns with Yip Pui Yin of Hong Kong and the win may pit her against compatriot shuttler Wang Xin in semi-finals of the mega event.
However, World Number three Li Xuerui is in top form as she registered a splendid straight-set victory against Taipei campaigner Tzu Ying.
She set foundation of her success straight away in the beginning when she fetched opening match point with a significant lead in the final total.
The Chinese player did not waste time and launched a brisk attack to gain an early advantage.
She mounted pressure with couple of successive points and then capitalised this initial edge to place a respectable total of 11 before the interval.
After mid-game break, Li strengthened her grip by prevailing in few nonstop rallies and then struck hard in the final moments of the game.
On the other hand, Tzu Ying could not come out of her competitor’s influence and stayed grounded throughout the second half.
She trailed behind all the way to game point situation and gave up this futile chase after reading 16-21 score on the board.
However, the Taipei campaigner did not kneel down tamely in second set and displayed great fighting spirit.
She matched her rival’s skills in first half of the game and it seemed at one stage that she will survive this neck-and-neck competition.
Tzu Ying did not allow the opposing shuttler to gain a comfortable lead before interval and stayed close until half time.
Later part of the game was also played in same manner as none of them could make notable difference until game point situation.
This part proved tough trial of their mental and physical strength as they remained equal until Li Xuerui claimed ending two points in 23-21 margin.
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