Xu Chen, Ma Jin remain invincible in group stage of 2012 London Olympics – Badminton News
Mixed Doubles team Xu Chen-Ma Jin continued their unbeatable run in group stage of London Olympics and outclassed Chen Hung Ling-Cheng Wen Hsing at Wembley Arena on July 31, 2012.
The World Number two Chinese duo played impeccable badminton and ensured their presence in quarter-finals by registering decisive margin of 21-16 and 22-20.
They did not lose focus at any stage of the match and sealed a splendid straight-set victory to surge into elimination round as group winners.
On the other hand, this defeat proved last nail in the coffin for Taipei campaigners and they had to bid adieu to the mega event.
Xu Chen and Ma Jin, who hold second spot in tournament ranking, laid foundation of their victory by clinching very first match point.
They launched a brisk attack in the beginning of first set and confined their rival in rear court. They did not lose this rhythm and dictated the opposing team all the way to mid-game break.
The World Number five pair Hung Ling-Wen Hsing failed to deal with this situation and allowed their competitors to place an indomitable total of 11 at half time.
They kept trailing behind in the later part of the game which cost them a vital match point. They surrendered when score-board flashed 16-21 against them.
However, the Taipei players showed great fighting spirit in following game and pushed their challengers all the way to game point situation.
This time they did not repeat previous mistakes and gained an early advantage by prevailing in opening rallies.
At one stage, it seemed that Hung Ling and Wen Hsing have survived this battle but then couple of fatal mistakes triggered the collapse.
The Chinese campaigners did not squander this opportunity and reinstated their dominance by gathering valuable points just before the interval.
They unleashed flurry of masterly crafted strokes immediately in second half and maintained this momentum until the last shot was played.
Though, Xu Chen and Ma Jin faltered in third quarter of the set which allowed their competitors to narrow the gap but they struck hard at the death and locked the honour with convincing figure of 22-20.
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