Yonex Canada Open Grand Prix 2012: Sayaka Takahashi stuns Li Michelle to destroy local hopes
Sayaka Takahashi, an experienced shuttler from Japan, advanced into Women’s Singles final after crushing local hopes as she defeated Canada’s Li Michelle in semi-final showdown at the Yonex Canada Open Grand Prix 2012 in Richmond, on Saturday, July 14.
The lower ranked Sayaka, who has been showing her remarkable craft throughout the event, continued putting up strong performance and ousted her Michelle who was the top seed in Women’s Singles draw of the tournament.
The un-seeded Sayaka played to her maximum potential and stunned her higher ranked challenger in straight games with a decent margin on the board by taking the court time for just 34 minutes.
In the meanwhile, the top seeded Michelle also played attacking badminton throughout the battle and matched the pace of rallies but failed to get rid of her lower ranked Japanese opponent and lost to her without taking any game.
In the starting rallies of opening game, both shuttlers played remarkable badminton by pushing each other in all areas aiming to take an early lead but none of them could manage it as they were at the same level.
The score was 9-9 when Sayaka played positive badminton while showing a wonderful anticipation and took a two-point lead of 11-9 until the mid-game interval.
After the break, Michelle also showed her class and levelled the score without putting in extra effort.
Both ladies reached at 14-14 when Sayaka showed her tremendous run and took over the control of rallies by taking the bird early.
The lower ranked Japanese lady was in commanding position at the ending phase and snatched the first set with a 21-18 score on the board.
In the following set, both ladies again showed their craft while remaining toe-to-toe on court and it was Michelle this time who took a small lead of 11-10 until the mid-game interval.
After the break, Sayaka changer her tactics and started to push her rival in the corners of rear-court area.
The Japanese lady worked impressively in the ending points of second game and won the set with a close score of 21-19.
Sayaka ousted the top seeded Michelle in semi-final battle in just 34 minutes with a decent 21-18 and 21-19 score on the board.
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