Vietnam Open GP: Sho Sasaki wins epic battle against Muhammad Hafiz Hashim in the quarter-final
Japan’s top shuttler, Sho Sasaki remained successful in winning an epic battle against Malaysia’s Muhammad Hafiz Hashim in the Men’s Singles quarter-final of the 2011 Vietnam Open GP in Vietnam, on Friday, August 26.
World Number Nine ranked Japanese shuttler, who is also the second seed in the tournament, emerged as the winner in a three-set thrilling contest with a dramatic margin by taking 62 minutes in the court. Hafiz Hashim remained unlucky as he lost with a narrow
margin after playing phenomenal badminton.
The opening set for this Men’s Singles quarter-final battle was a night mare for the Japanese, who failed to play well against the aggressive Hafiz Hashim. Sasaki remained trailing far behind as he failed to play positive badminton against the Malaysian
veteran, who played an attacking game throughout the opening set. The second seed Japanese lost the opening game with the stunning margin of 11-21, in just 14 minutes.
However, the second game was absolutely thrilling when both shuttlers played at the highest level of the sport. The score moved slowly and the exchange of long rallies enticed the local crowd as both shuttlers did not show any sign of slowing down. They
remained toe-to-toe until the score reached at 20-20, when the Japanese managed to execute some perfect strokes and won the set with the margin of 22-20, in 25 minutes.
The third set of the match was also breath taking, as both experienced shuttlers progressed in the match with the same pace. The quality of the game was quite high as both have extensive experience of playing international badminton. The score against entered
into the concluding phase of the final set, without giving a clear lead to any shuttler.
However, at the ending points, Sasaki managed to produce some fascinating shots and clinched the set with the score of 21-19, in 23 minutes. The Japanese remained victorious in this Men’s Singles quarter-final battle with the margin of 11-21, 22-20 and 21-19.
In the semi-final, Sasaki will be up against India’s in-form shuttler, Ajay Jayaram who defeated the fourth seed, Alamsyah Yunus of Indonesia in the quarter-final showdown.
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