Zhao Jiang, Dellis Yuliana secure berth in quarter-finals of 2012 Singapore International Series
Mixed Doubles partners Zhao Jiang Terry Yeo-Dellis Yuliana continued with their top form and powered their way in quarter-finals of Li-Ning Singapore International Series after thrashing Kusmawardana Tri-Aprilsasi Putri Lejarsar Variella on August 16, 2012.
This pre quarter-final tussle lasted 47 minutes before ending with final result of 24-22, 14-21 and 21-18.
The local campaigners, who are top ranked Mixed Doubles experts in this tournament, pocketed full benefits of home ground and crowd and locked the honour.
Meanwhile, the opposing team fell prey to bad luck and faced a 1-2 defeat despite of putting a laudable effort throughout this encounter.
In opening game of match, both contenders made the crowd gasp with their breath-taking performance. Both teams battled it out on the court. They made every effort to gain an immediate advantage but neither could enjoy a permanent lead until the last shot
was played.
At first, Kusmawardana-Aprilsasi made swift progress and pushed their rivals on the back-foot. They managed to carry this momentum in next couple of rallies and finished first half with a respectable total.
However, few mistakes in third quarter of the set brought them down and helped Zhao Jiang-Dellis Yuliana to establish their grip.
The native shuttlers maintained a slight edge all the way to game point situation and wrapped first set with a tight yet decisive margin of 24-22.
Conversely, following game proved completely one-sided affair as the suppressed Indonesian duo bounced back and counter-balanced the situation.
This time Kusmawardana-Aprilsasi changed their tactics and confounded the opposing team with fine blend of power packed smashes and drop net shots.
They made their intentions clear when they bagged few valuable points straight away in the beginning. They kept their challengers under control throughout this crucial set.
Their coordination yielded favourable results as they blew their competitors away with a striking knock of 21-14.
Though, the Singaporean campaigners were under huge pressure after this loss but they showed strong character and ruled the court in the decider.
The twosome of Zhao and Dellis placed a winning figure of 21-18 and setup a meeting with Chayut Triyachart-h*i Ern Ng in the round of eight.
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