Shintaro Ikeda, Reiko Shiota reserve berth in Mixed Doubles title match – Singapore Open Update
It was an all-Japan semi-final in Mixed Doubles event of Li Ning Singapore Open and Shintaro Ikeda-Reiko Shiota locked the honour of being finalist by trouncing Shoji Sato-Shizuka Matsuo on June 23, 2012.
World Number 11 pair took just 38 minutes on the court to complete this saga with 21-18 and 21-16 figures in two chapters.
However, real challenge awaits them in final encounter as they will be looking to unseat World Number five Taipei couple Chen Hung Ling-Cheng Wen Hsing to claim the crown in this Super Series tournament.
The twosome of Shintaro Ikeda and Reiko Shiota will surely utilise their confidence which they have earned by remaining invincible throughout this event.
Though, they were blessed with an easy draw but still they put all in their possession against lower ranked couples like Hendra Setiawan-Vita Marissa and Thitipong Lapoe-Peeraya Munkitamorn in preliminary rounds.
Their first tough contenders were compatriot shuttlers Shoji Sato and Shizuka Matsuo in second last round of the tournament and Shintaro Ikeda-Reiko Shiota continued their successful run in a splendid manner.
They started the ball rolling in very first game and capitalised this initial advantage in second game of the match.
The first set was full of sensation as at one stage Shoji-Shizuka were in strong position to pocket this vital match point but the opposing team came in their way.
In first half, they dominated in first four rallies which took them to 4-1. They did not drop this pace and managed to place 11-8 margin before the interval.
After one-minute break, they lost focus and paved a path to victory for their challengers. Shintaro Ikeda and Reiko Shiota, who are also seeded four in this tournament, did not miss this opportunity and levelled score at 14-14. They clinched last five points
and wrapped the show with 21-18 figure.
The following set saw them at top of their game as they dazzled the opposing team with a lustrous performance.
Top Japanese duo ended first half by registering 11-9 margin on the board and then ruled the court in later part as well.
They established a decent lead of five points which remained unbeatable until winning score of 21-16.
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