Shu Cheng, Pan Pan lead China to Women’s Doubles semi-finals – Thailand Open Update
China’s spirited duo Shu Cheng-Pan Pan escorted their country to semi-finals of Women’s Doubles event in SCG Thailand Open on June 8, 2012.
The Chinese campaigners forged a fruitful chemistry and stamped Vita Marissa-Nadya Melati of Indonesia in the quarter-finals.
This epic 61-minute tussle proved tough test of mental and physical fitness for both teams as it prolonged to three exhausting sets before ending with concluding totals of 24-22, 15-21 and 21-9.
Now the champs will meet either Thai pair Duanganong Aroonkesorn-Kunchala Voravichitchaikul or another Indonesian couple Imawan Gebby Ristiyani-Nuraidah Tiara Rosalia in second last round.
The twosome of Shu Cheng and Pan Pan proved their mettle by surviving a cliff-hanging first set against higher ranked rivals.
Initially, they were leading with a significant total of 9-2 but then faltered and allowed their competitors to reach at 9-8. First half of the opening set ended with Chinese having a slight edge in a tight margin of 11-8.
After mid-game break, they kept on moving forward despite of losing some vital points. They were standing at 17-13 in third quarter of set when Vita Marissa-Nadya Melati made swift progress and caught them at 18-18.
Both teams played four game points and finally Shu Cheng-Pan Pan bagged this set with a breath-taking result of 24-22.
The Indonesians ruled in most part of the following game and levelled the match score in adorable manner.
This time they utilised their skills to read their challengers’ game and worked on an effective counter-attack strategy.
Though, they were trailing behind in the beginning but picked up pace and established a comfortable lead with 8-5. However, they lost focus for some time which resulted in 10-11 until half time.
After one-minute break, they changed their tactics which worked in their favour as they reinstated supremacy and then finished this segment by registering a notable figure of 21-15.
Lot of fireworks was expected in the decider as both top ranked teams were hanging by a thread to stay alive but the Chinese completely kept their rivals grounded after 6-6 and stole the glory with a distinctive score of 21-9.
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