By Jan Lin/Red Sports. Photos by Vanessa Lim/Red Sports
Singapore pair of Shinta Sari and Yao Lei not having an easy time against 4th seeded pair of Wen Hsing Cheng and Yu Chin Chien from Chinese Taipei as they dropped the first set (11-21), but they went on to win the next two sets (21-18, 21-19). (Photo © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Singapore Indoor Stadium, Saturday, June 19, 2010 — Singapore’s Yao Lei and Shinta Mulia Sari overcame all odds to march into the Singapore Badminton Open’s women’s doubles final. After a 50-minute epic battle, the unseeded hosts beat the Taiwanese 4th-seeded pair of Cheng Wen Hsing / Chien Yu Chin 11-21, 21-18, 21-19.
This is the hosts’ best performance in the women’s doubles discipline at the BWF Super Series since the tournament was inaugurated in 2007. While this result was definitely assisted by the absence of the world’s top four women’s doubles pairs, credit must still be given for the pair’s resilience to come back from a set down and bag the win.
“At first we were too careful so we couldn’t really get into our game,” shared 22-year-old Shinta. “But the coach told us to just try our best, just play and give whatever we have. After we won the second game, we became more confident in the third game. They also made unforced errors and that boosted our confidence even more.”
This victory meant that Yao / Shinta are not only playing in back-to-back finals after scooping a grand prix gold women’s doubles title in India last Sunday, it also meant that they will be breaking into the world’s top 10 rankings for the women’s doubles after picking up ranking points with this result.
“Becoming the champions in India has definitely given us an added confidence right from the moment we enter the court in Singapore. It feels great to play in both our first super series semi-finals and finals and the fact that it is in Singapore makes it even more special,” added Shinta whose partnership with 20-year-old Yao Lei took off in 2008.
Waiting for Yao / Shinta in the Singapore Badminton Open women’s doubles final on Sunday is the formidable 5th-seeded Korean duo of Lee Hyo Jung / Kim Min Jung. While the Korean pair may have a “scratch pair” status, they played an instrumental role in Korea’s historical defeat of China at the Uber Cup finals in Malaysia last month.
The final day of the Singapore Badminton Open will commence from 1pm at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
Shinta Sari and Yao Lei picking up the pace in the second set. (Photo © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Singapore coaches having a tense moment as the game went down to the wire. (Photo © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Yao Lei raises her hands after securing the final point to win the set. (Photo © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Supporters on their feet celebrating the Singapore win. Shinta Sari and Yao Lei move on to the final against Korea’s Min Jung Kim and Hyo Jung Lee. (Photo © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
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