Xu Chen, Ma Jin surge into Mixed Doubles pre quarter-finals – Hong Kong Open Update
Mixed Doubles partners Xu Chen and Ma Jin showed superb coordination and ensured their presence on the pre quarter-final round of Yonex Sunrise Hong Kong Open on November 21, 2012.
World Number one Chinese duo outshined Tarun Kona-Ashwini Ponnappa by sealing a straight-set victory in the opening match.
They took just 30 minutes to register a favourable result of 21-15 and 21-16. This impressive win reserved their spot in the second round where another Indian pair Pranaav Jerry Chopra-Siki Reddy N. will be against them.
Xu Chen and Ma Jin looked completely on song in their first round encounter as they completely outclassed the opposing team in all areas of the game.
They launched an intensive attack and confined Tarun-Ashwini in the rear court. Both Chinese players did not show any mercy and pocketed valuable points without any interruption.
Though, the Indian campaigners made every effort to narrow the gap and they did manage to hit the mark but their fluctuated performance put their expedition to halt.
Tarun and Ashwini raised their chances by leveling the score at 9-9 but then their rivals gathered some pace and left them far behind.
Xu Chen and Ma Jin revived their lost chemistry and reinstated their dominance with few back-to-back productive rallies.
They started the beating after 13-12 and reached to a commanding position of 19-12. This seven-point lead helped them to finish first set of the match with a winning margin of 21-15.
The following game proved a real test of mental and physical fitness for both teams as they kept chasing each other until the third quarter of the set.
Initially, the Chinese players relished full benefits of their first set win and gained an early advantage.
They played with great control and placed a mountainous figure of 11 before the announcement of the break.
However, they lost focus for short span of time and allowed Tarun-Ashwini to proceed on the points table.
After mid-game break, Xu Chen and Ma Jin geared themselves up and cruised to victory with 21-16 score on the board.
Now they will test their skills in the second round to gain access to the quarter-finals of this Super Series.
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