Carolina Marin, the reigning champion, faced a tough challenge in the quarter-finals of the TOTAL BWF World Championships 2017. Nozomi Okuhara from Japan emerged victorious after an intense battle, ending Marin’s three-year reign. The match lasted for 93 minutes, with Okuhara winning 21-18 14-21 21-15. Let’s delve into the thrilling details of this match and other exciting quarter-final clashes.
The Battle of Wills
The clash between Marin and Okuhara was as dramatic as anticipated. In the opening game, Okuhara took an early lead of 17-7. However, Marin fought back and nearly caught up with the Japanese, making it a closely contested game. Okuhara managed to snatch the first game, but Marin showed her resilience and won the second game, taking an early lead in the decider.
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A Shift in Momentum
With the match hanging on a delicate balance, both players engaged in marathon rallies, avoiding any risks of all-out attacks. At a crucial point with the score tied at 14, Okuhara made a decisive move, shifting the momentum in her favor. She started going for the lines, and Marin, uncharacteristically, began to struggle against Okuhara’s late assault. Eventually, Okuhara emerged victorious, leaving Marin disappointed.
Reflecting on the Match
Marin acknowledged the challenge she faced, saying, “It’s tough for me to lose in the quarter-finals. I have to learn from that. The key was when I was leading 15-14 in the third game, and I lost focus.” Okuhara, on the other hand, expressed her determination to excel further, stating, “In the second game, my speed was down, but I told myself to keep fighting. I have my target set on the gold medal.”
Saina Nehwal’s Gritty Performance
In another thrilling quarter-final, India’s Saina Nehwal faced a high-intensity challenge from local favorite Kirsty Gilmour. Nehwal managed to withstand Gilmour’s aggressive game and secure a hard-fought victory of 21-19 18-21 21-15. This win ensured Nehwal a spot in the semi-finals, marking her return to the big stage after a disappointing performance in the Rio Olympics.
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Nehwal acknowledged Gilmour’s exceptional play, stating, “I was expecting a tough fight, but I was surprised she was playing so quick. There were a lot of difficult rallies. She put up a great show, and I didn’t expect she would last so long in the third game.” Nehwal expressed her gratitude to her parents and coach for their support throughout her journey, adding, “Reaching the semi-finals is a great feeling, but tomorrow will be a tough match.”
Exciting Semi-Finals to Look Forward To
As the tournament progresses, the Men’s Singles defending champion, Chen Long, is on track for his third consecutive World title. He defeated his compatriot Tian Houwei with a scoreline of 21-12 21-17. Chen Long will face Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen, who fought his way past Chou Tien Chen from Chinese Taipei in a thrilling three-game match.
Thrilling Doubles Matches
The doubles matches witnessed several closely contested battles. Christinna Pedersen and Kamilla Rytter Juhl from Denmark secured a tense victory over Japan’s Shiho Tanaka and Koharu Yonemoto. The match went to three games, with Pedersen and Rytter Juhl prevailing 21-5 18-21 27-25. In the semi-finals, they will face another Japanese pair, Yuki Fukushima and Sayaka Hirota, who emerged victorious after a thrilling encounter with Korea’s Chang Ye Na and Lee So Hee.
In Men’s Doubles, unexpected results unfolded as China shocked the No.2 and No.3 seeds. Marcus Fernaldi Gideon and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo, the most successful pair of the year, suffered defeat in a tense three-game match against China’s Chai Biao and Hong Wei. Liu Cheng and Zhang Nan from China also survived a match point to conquer Denmark’s Mathias Boe and Carsten Mogensen. With the two Chinese pairs set to face each other in the semi-finals, China is guaranteed at least a silver medal.
Mixed Doubles Dominance
The Mixed Doubles category witnessed a dominant performance from England’s Chris and Gabrielle Adcock, who recovered from a first-game loss to defeat Hong Kong’s Tang Chun Man and Tse Ying Suet. China’s Zheng Siwei and Chen Qingchen also had a commanding victory against Indonesia’s Praveen Jordan and Debby Susanto.
FAQs
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Q: Will Carolina Marin bounce back stronger in future tournaments?
A: Marin is an incredibly talented player, and despite her loss in the quarter-finals, she has proven her abilities in the past. With her determination and skills, there is no doubt that she will make a strong comeback in future tournaments.
Q: Can Saina Nehwal win the gold medal in the Women’s Singles category?
A: Nehwal’s recent performance has showcased her resilience and determination. While the competition is tough, Nehwal has the potential to go all the way and win the gold medal in the Women’s Singles category. We’ll have to wait and see how she performs in the upcoming matches.
Conclusion
The quarter-finals of the Badminton World Championships 2017 provided thrilling matches that kept fans on the edge of their seats. From Marin’s defeat to Okuhara to Nehwal’s gritty performance, the competition exhibited the exceptional skills and determination of these athletes. As the tournament progresses to the semi-finals, fans eagerly await more exciting matches and anticipate who will emerge victorious in their quest for the coveted World title.
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