Thailand Open 2012: Imawan Gebby, Nuraidah Tiara deliver a stunner against Shinta Mulia, Lei Yao
The inexperienced but talented pair Imawan Gebby Ristiyani-Nuraidah Tiara Rosalia of Indonesia amazed everyone by surging into Mixed Doubles quarter-finals of SCG Thailand Open on June 7, 2012.
They stunned Shinta Mulia Sari-Lei Yao, the second best team of event and raised country’s flag at CU Sports Complex in Bangkok.
This pre quarter-final fight remained alive for exhausting 52 minutes and both teams put admirable show of skills until final results of 21-16, 16-21 and 21-19.
The Indonesians will now test their skills against local pair Duanganong Aroonkesorn-Kunchala Voravichitchaikul to ensure their presence in the semi-finals.
Earlier in second round match, Imawan Gebby-Nuraidah Tiara opened their marathon in bit pressure against higher ranked rivals.
They remained at lower end until six points but then they managed to pick the bird early and drop it in right areas. They levelled score at 9-9 and established a decent lead with 11-9 at half time.
After the one-minute break, the opposing team Shinta Mulia-Lei Yao played fast badminton and caught them at 12-12.
It was neck-to-neck contest until 16-16 but it did not change the overall situation as Imawan and Nuraidah bagged five consecutive points and ended this race with notable margin of 21-16.
Next game was sensational as the Indonesians were in strong position to seize a straight-set win but the Singaporean campaigners managed to save the honour in final moments.
In first half of the set, Imawan-Nuraidah got into commanding position by grabbing five quick points and then they strengthened their grip with six fruitful rallies. They were standing at 11-5 when mid-game break was announced.
The twosome of Shinta Mulia and Lei Yao showed transformed character after the interval as they first clinched seven back-to-back points to reach at 13-13.
They magnified the impact with flurry of power packed strokes and won second set with respectable figure of 21-16 on the board.
Third and final set proved best part of battle as both teams snapped each other’s heels all the way to closing stage.
However, Imawan and Nuraidah struck hard when it mattered and sealed a splendid victory by registering winning total of 21-19.
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