Sung Ji Hyun treads into quarter-final round of Women’s Singles event – Japan Open Update
Women’s Singles expert Sung Ji Hyun of Korea played with great precision and took her country into the quarter-finals of the Yonex Japan Open on Thursday, September 20, 2012.
World Number eight shuttler intercepted the Japanese campaigner Nozomi Okuhara at the Yoyogi National Stadium of Tokyo.
This pre quarter-final encounter lasted for 43 minutes before ending with final figures of 21-15 and 21-17.
Ji Hyun, who is holding second spot in this tournament ranking, proved herself superior in both segments of the showdown and sealed a straight-set victory.
On the other hand, Nozomi could not relish full benefits of home ground advantage as she had to face a woeful exit.
The Korean shuttler laid the foundation of her supremacy by prevailing in a couple of opening rallies in the first set. She carried this rhythm until last shot was played and bagged a vital match point.
Ji Hyun pushed her rival on the back-foot by registering a decent total of 4-0 and then mounted pressure by raising the lead to 7-2.
At this stage, the native shuttler made a swift progress and narrowed the gap but this short campaign could not stop Ji Hyun from placing an indomitable margin of 11-6.
The Japanese player made every effort to counter-balance the situation but she could not put her challenger’s expedition to halt.
Ji Hyun gathered valuable points at steady pace and strengthened her grip over game in third quarter of the set. She widened the gap with 17-10 margin and then left her competitor far behind with 21-15 score.
Next game was filled with great sensation as both contenders challenged each other in all areas of the game and mesmerised the crowd with a breath-taking performance.
However, Ji Hyun outclassed the opposing shuttler technically and tactically in later part of the game.
Though, she had cautious start and remained at the lower end until half time but a couple of power packed rallies helped her to establish a respectable lead.
She maintained the upper hand until game point situation and stole the limelight with a dazzling knock of 21-17.
Now Ji Hyun is scheduled to meet another local shuttler Ai Goto in the quarter-final round of this tournament.
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