General

Zwiebler wins battle, reaches quarterfinal
Date: 4/1/2016 12:10 AM
Published by : Manuel Røsler
Marc Zwiebler battled back from the brink to defeat China’s world number 7 Tian Houwei in the second round of the Superseries tournament Yonex Sunrise India Open (300.000 Dollars) in New Delhi.

The German (main picture) was only a few points away from a second round defeat, but broke back to force the match into a deciding game and eventually overcame his Chinese opponent in a tense 18-21, 21-19, 23-21 victory.

In their first ever meeting, Zwiebler fought back from being down 2-9 in the second game. The 32-year old took advantage of the first signs of nerves from Houwei, to level the match again. And there would be further drama in the decider, with the German immediately taking the control of the match to lead 8-1. But Houwei bravely went on the attack and wrestled back a succession of points before Zwiebler saved a match point, and used his first match point at 22-21 which gave him a place in the next stage. His opponent on Friday will be China's Xue Song.

“I am very happy to win such a close match. I have never played Xue Song before. But of course he is in a great shape and I have to give my outmost best to stand a chance”, said Marc Zwiebler.

Axelsen and Vittinghus show class in India

Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen (pictured), last year’s India Open runner-up, shows class to beat Sony Dwi Kuncoro in the second round. The number 5 seed beat Kuncoro in three games 21-18, 18-21, 21-16   to earn his quarterfinal ticket. “It was a close match against Sony today! I am Happy that I managed to keep my head cool in the third game! I will be up against Nan Wei tomorrow. I cannot wait”, wrote Axelsen on his official facebook page.



His compatriot Hans-Kristian Vittinghus eased past world number 8 Chou Tien Chen [6]  in two straight games 21-12, 21-12. “Definitely not the kind of scoreline I was preparing for. It's obvious that I played really well. My court coverage was great, defence was working perfectly and I had a lot of success taking control of the game for most parts of the match. I also reacted the way I wanted to in the periods where he was trying hard to fight back. Needless to say, I'm super happy about that”, Vittinghus explained on his facebook fan page.

“Tomorrow I'll face Kento Momota in the quarter final. Will be tough, but I'm up for a good fight!”

European Champion Jan Ø. Jørgensen was ousted in the second round by Xue Song of China. The Dane, World No 3 and number 3 seed, was sent crashing out of the Superseries tournament in a 18-21, 21-15, 14-21 defeat on Thursday.

Other Europeans who made in to the last 8 stage are Selena Piek/Eefje Muskens  (The Netherlands) and Christinna Pedersen/Kamilla Rytter Juhl (Denmark) in the women’s doubles, Mads Conrad/Mads Kolding (Denmark) in the men’s doubles  and Joachim Fischer/Christinna Pedersen (Denmark) in the mixed doubles.

No joy for Adcocks or Ouseph

England's bid at the  India Open ended at the first round stage in New Delhi on Wednesday. Both Rajiv Ouseph in the men's singles and Chris and Gabby Adcock in the mixed doubles both endured agonising defeats after holding leads at the Siri Fort Complex. Ouseph, England's number one, was looking for a confidence-boosting upset against the number two seed Kento Momota, and he looked to be heading in the right direction as he secured the early momentum.

But Momota, Japan's rising young player and Superseries champion, raised his game and took the encounter into a decider. Ouseph then forged a superb 8-2 lead before Momota levelled at 10-apiece and going on to pass the winning line 21-15, 16-21, 15-21 in 57 minutes.

Earlier, the Adcocks were looking to start their three-week Asian leg with a win over Wang Yilyu and Chen Qingchen, of China. But the unheralded pair upset the odds against the Superseries champions 11-21, 21-17, 21-13.

Click here for all results of the India Open Superseries.

Article by Manuel Rösler. All photos (LIVE) by BadmintonPhoto.
©badmintoneurope.com. All rights reserved.

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