Russia Open 2012: Alexandr Nikolaenko, Valeri Sorokina cruise to victory in Mixed Doubles Finals
The talented local team Alexandr Nikolaenko-Valeri Sorokina emerged as champion in Mixed Doubles event of Russia Open Grand Prix after stamping Vitalij Durkin-Nina Vislova on July 1, 2012.
Both compatriot pairs remained head-to-head for 44 minutes to read final figures of 21-19 and 21-17.
Though, the top seeded duo of the tournament wrapped the show in just two games but they literally had to earn this victory as their competitors put up great resistance all the way to the final moments.
The lower ranked but talented couple Vitalij Durkin-Nina Vislova displayed laudable fighting spirit and walked tall despite losing both games.
In first set of match, both contenders made the crowd gasp with their breath-taking performance. They chased each other all the way to game point situation and neither team could establish a comfortable lead.
They were standing at same level until 4-4 when Alexandr and Valeri made the difference with five uninterrupted rallies.
They placed a respectable total of 9-4 and then maintained this upper hand in first half. They managed to reach at decent score position of 11-8 before the interval.
Later part of the game saw opposing team launching a brisk attack to narrow the gap but the higher ranked couple Alexandr-Valeri left them far behind with a mountainous total of 19-12.
The twosome of Vitalij Durkin and Nina Vislova did not lose their nerves in this tense situation and grabbed five continuous points.
However, their campaign did not harm their rivals who bagged the first set with a favourable margin of 21-19.
Second set, which proved the decider, was played in similar manner as Alexandr-Valeri established their grip in the beginning and then managed to soar high at the death despite of going down in the middle.
They made their intentions clear by prevailing in four consecutive rallies after 2-2. They continued dictating their challengers all the way to half time and placed a respectable figure of 11-7.
After one-minute break, they faced bit trouble when Vitalij and Nina stepped forward with four uninterrupted points but they reinstated their dominance in the final moments.
Alexandr and Valeri entered 21-17 score on the board and raised Mixed Doubles trophy in the Russia Open 2012.
Tags: