Xu Chen, Ma Jin oust Mads Pieler, Julie Houmann from Mixed Doubles event – Indonesia Open Update
Mixed Doubles campaigners Xu Chen-Ma Jin of China overpowered Mads Pieler-Julie Houmann Kolding in first round of Djarum Indonesia Open on Wednesday, June 13, 2012.
This win in 61-minute tussle took victorious duo into pre quarter-final round where they will try to repeat history against compatriot pair Bao Yixin-He Hanbin.
Earlier in their opening match, the Chinese girls employed unbeatable skills and outclassed their rivals in all areas of game.
They played superior badminton in all three sets and placed favourable figures of 15-21, 21-19 and 20-22.
The first set of the contest started with both pairs exhibiting admirable craft on court. They remained equal until 5-5 but then Xu Chen and Ma Jin showed their class and dominated in four consecutive rallies.
They gained initial advantage of four points and then raised their total to 11 before the announcement of one-minute break.
After the interval, they continued with same momentum and established an unassailable lead with 15-10.
The opposing couple Mads Pieler-Julie Houmann controlled overall pace of rallies at this stage and reached at a respectable total of 15 but they could not stop their challengers from clinching first set with 21-15.
However, they did not lose heart and showed strong character in next game. The Danish pair remained bit under pressure in the beginning but they came out of this phase with some fruitful rallies.
In first half of the set, they levelled score at 7-7 and then placed a decent total of 11-9 before mid-game break.
Later part of the game started with their swift progress from 11 to 15. They lost grip for short period of time and their challengers relished full benefits of this opportunity.
Both teams were locked at 19-19 but Mads Pieler and Julie Houmann managed to pocket final two points in concluding margin of 21-19.
This 1-1 match score position brought life back into contest as now both teams were standing just one step away either from an early exit or next round entry.
They remained close all the way to game point situation but the Chinese couple Xu Chen-Ma Jin struck hard when it mattered and seized the honour 22-20.
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