Monday, April 30, 2012

Wan Ho Shon,Li Xuerui qualify for London Olympics

Shon bags his maiden Super Series title; Xuerui keeps Chinese flag flying
New Delhi: Wan Ho Shon of Korea celebrated his qualification for the London Olympics with a sensational upset win over world number one and top seed Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia to lift the men’s singles title while Asian champion Li Xuerui ensured that the China would not go back empty handed from the second edition of the Yonex-Sunrise India Open 2012-OSIM BWF World Superseries on Sunday with a title triumph in women’s singles.

Shon, who was assured his Olympic berth when he defeated Denmark’s Peter Gade at the quarterfinal stage, was considered a rank outsider against a player whom he had lost to four times before. However, the Korean was prepared for Chong Wei’s flat and fast game and it was his defensive skills under pressure that gave Shon the advantage on crucial points.

Chong Wei was late to get off the block and Shon took advantage of his opponent’s sluggishness to pocket the first game. The Malaysian hit back in the second but it was the tenacity of the Korean that saw his through in the decider.

At one stage, Shon looked like running away with the match when he opened up an 18-13 lead in the decider but Chong Wei retaliated with some grate down the line smashes to take six points in row.

A mistake on the net dribble allowed Shon to level scores and the Korean then kept his nerve and squeezed through the next two points to claim his maiden Super Series title.
“I have been playing well throughout this tournament and hence I was confident of a good show against Chong Wei,” said Shon after the match.

Chong Wei on his part was satisfied with his performance in the tournament. “I am coming back after a shoulder injury I am happy that I managed to reach the final. He was the better player today and he won,” said the world number one.

The women’s singles final also provided an exciting end to the tournament in front of a sizeable crowd at the Siri Fort Sports Complex.
With the women’s doubles pair of Yixin Bao and Qianxin Zhong losing the final and no other Chinese contender in the other three categories, the badminton powerhouse needed Xuerui to come good against Schenk, who had accounted for two of their stars in the earlier rounds.

The second seed began erratically in the first game as Schenk kept mixing her game plan. But once she managed to understand what her opponent was trying to do, Xuerui began to control the rallies and consolidated her position in the top-four of the world ranking in the last competition of the London Olympic qualification period with a 14-21, 21-17, 21-8 victory over giant killer Schenk in 47 minutes.

Following the first game reversal, Xuerui raced to an 8-0 lead by forcing Schenk to take risks to earn points. The German fell for the trap initially but managed to come back with some lucky net chords and a combative approach that makes her a very difficult opponent.

However, Xuerui kept her cool despite Schenk closing on her at 17-16 after having led 15-6 at one stage.
The decider proved to be a one-sided affair as Schenk got desperate to take control of the match and made too many errors in the bargain.

Results (final):
Women’s singles: 2-Li Xuerui (CHN) bt Juliane Schenk (GER) 14-21, 21-17, 21-8
Women’s doubles: 6-Ha Na Kim/Kyung Eun Jung (KOR) bt Qianxin Zhong/Yixin Bao (CHN) 21-17, 21-18
Men’s singles: Wan Ho Shon (KOR) bt 1-Lee Chong Wei (MAS) 21-18, 14-21, 21-19
Men’s doubles: Bodin Issara/Maneepong Jongjit (THA) bt 2-Sung Hyun Ko/Yeon Seong Yoo (KOR) 21-17, 14-21, 21-14
Mixed doubles: Tontowi Ahmad/Liliana Natsir (INA) bt Sudket Prapakamol/Saralee Thoungthongkam 21-16, 12-21, 21-14

BAI thanks its sponsors OSIM, Yonex-Sunrise, ONGC, Syndicate Bank, Bank of Maharashtra, Bank of India, SAIL, BBD University, Lucknow and Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs for their generous support.

It also thanks its official broadcaster Sony Six and DD Sports for the live telecast of the event and the spectators who came in large numbers to watch the matches and support the Indian players.


ABOUT BADMINTON ASSOCIATION OF INDIA

The Badminton Association of India under the guidance of President Akhilesh Das Gupta and the Organising Committee comprising of Mr. Ashok Kumar (Executive President) Mr. T.P.S Puri (Secretary) and Mr. Girish Nattu (Technical Director) are leaving no stone unturned to make the Yonex Sunrise India Open 2012 a successful one. BAI has previously organised the World Championship and Asian Championship successfully before.

ABOUT YONEX INDIA OPEN OSIM BWF WORLD SUPERSERIES

Yonex India Open is part of a USD 200,000 prize money event. It is part of the 12 round Super Series circuit that begins in January and ends with the Super Series final in December. In terms of stature, the Super Series is only behind the Olympics/World championship and Super Series Premium.

Information Released for BAI on behalf of Mr Ashok Kumar, Executive President, Organizing Commettiee, Yonex Sunrise India Open 2012.

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