Victorian international 2012: Brock Matheson, Asher Richardson claim spot in quarter-final round
Men’s Doubles experts Brock Matheson and Asher Richardson qualified for quarter-finals of Li Ning Victorian International by overpowering Anthony Joe-Yip Ming Wong in the second round on June 29, 2012.
This 35-minute pre quarter-final encounter prolonged to three sets and both teams made the crowd gasp with their breath-taking performance before final result of 21-16, 16-21 and 23-21.
The New Zealand shuttlers displayed superior badminton skills to seal a 2-1 victory in the knock out round of the event.
Meanwhile, the local team put a fluctuating performance as they won the second set but frittered away a golden chance of victory in the decider.
In opening game of the match, Brock and Asher laid the foundation of their dominance by registering 7-3 total in no time.
They did not give their rivals even a single chance to get back on track and dictated them throughout the first half.
They hardly faced any trouble before half time and hit the benches as leading contenders in 11-6 total.
Later part was interesting until 16-14 as both teams put all in their possession to gain an early advantage but Brock and Asher tipped the scale in their favour with a concluding margin of 21-16.
Next game was replay of the previous one but this time Australians ended crucial segment with similar score position.
The twosome of Anthony and Yip Ming followed an interesting strategy which was blend of power packed assaults and solid defence. Many times they pushed their competitors in rear court and then snatched vital points with drop net shots.
In first half, they played with right attitude and fortitude to establish a comfortable lead at 7-4. They maintained this gap until 11-8 total before interval.
After one-minute break, the New Zealand campaigners stepped forward but they gave up this chase after reading decisive figure of 16-21.
Third set was best part of this encounter as both contenders were standing in middle of a quarter-final entry and a woeful exit.
The match remained on knife’s edge until 21-20 but then the Australians had to bid adieu after reading 21-23 total.
Now Brock Matheson and Asher Richardson are hoping to carry their form against Stuart Rowlands-Andrew Surman in the quarter-finals.
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