From 16 all, Chn pair lost focus same like Kido/HS earlier........ But whatever a win is a win................
Both ladies put in a great performance, Ma Jin's was the slightly better on the attacking front but Liliyana's defence and rearcourt play was amazing.
Not for me, I still think that match had better quality and drama in all three games...as well as a better back story. I think I could make a case that yesterdays game was the first knock out match in the Olympics as that surely sealed Shixian's fate.
YESS!!! What an important and morale boosting victory ahead of the London Olympics where the two pairs could be drawn in the SF yet again due to their seeding. Tontowi Ahmad/Liliyana Natsir eventually beat Xu Chen/Ma Jin in three gruelling sets: 21-14, 15-21, 21-16. The first set was totally controlled by Towi/Butet and they were nearly flawless until 15-6, especially Butet who owned Ma Jin up to that pt. Since then, errors began to creep in and the point deficit was cut down to from 9 pts to 4 pts at 20-16. Thankfully, the INA pair took the set 21-16. The second set and the beginning part of the third-set appeared to look like one of the many similar matches between Towi/Butet vs the top 2 CHN pairs where the CHN pair will usually take control after losing the set and the situation was worrying for the INA pair until 15-12 for the CHN pair in the decider. Miraculously, thanks to the nervy errors by the CHN pair (in particular Xu Chen) and Liliyana Natsir back in form, the INA pair had a fantastic 9-1 run which sealed the match eventually! A rematch is expected in the Olympics. Too bad Zhang Nan/Zhao Yunlei lost yesterday.
I hope Sudket/Saralee advance to the Final to face Towi/Butet for the 3rd time in a row. Ko/Eom will be a more tricky opponent for the INA pair. Come on Thailand!