Xu Chen, Ma Jin gain access to title match of Mixed Doubles event in 2012 London Olympics
China’s Xu Chen-Ma Jin remained invincible in the semi-final match against Tontowi Ahmad-Liliyana Natsir and surged into final round of London Olympics on August 2, 2012.
This semi-final encounter, held at Wembley Arena, prolonged to three gruelling sets before ending with concluding figures of 21-23, 21-18 and 21-13.
The World Number two Chinese pair took some time to get on track but never looked back after gaining the right momentum.
Though, the twosome of Xu Chen and Ma Jin lost the first set but they did not stay down permanently and saved some honour by clinching the last two games.
Meanwhile, the prime Indonesian duo was inconsistent throughout this tussle as they thundered in the opening part, blundered in the middle and finally surrendered in the closing part.
Tontowi and Liliyana, who were placed at third spot in tournament ranking, started in perfect manner as they raised their chances of victory by claiming opening match point.
They played with great conviction in the first set and matched their rivals’ skills in all areas of the game. They showed superb coordination to place a favourable result of 23-21.
However, luck was not on their side in following game as they lost despite of putting a splendid effort on the court.
They were enjoying the upper hand in opening rallies but then a couple of fatal mistakes triggered the collapse and they could not gain the advantage again.
The Chinese couple did not fritter away the opportunity and made the best out of it by gathering vital points without any interruption.
Xu Chen and Ma Jin set the foundation of their supremacy by finishing the first half as leading contenders and then magnified the impact with a staggering knock in the later part of the game.
They brought the contest to the right balance by winning second set with 21-18 score on the board and setup a nerve-racking decider.
Unexpectedly, the third set proved a dead contest as the Indonesians hardly put any resistance throughout this crucial segment and knelt down after reading decisive figure of 13-21.
Now, it will be an all-China final in London Games as Xu Chen-Ma Jin will be facing compatriot duo Zhang Nan-Zhao Yunlei.
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