The Russian campaign in the Men’s Doubles for their home tournament was looking very strong indeed. An all-Russian final in this event was on the cards, but it was the final late surge of points from the unseeded Malaysian pair that spoiled the party.
Number one seeds, and hot favourites for the title, Vladimir Ivanov and Ivan Sozonov looked in control of the third game, to book their spot in the final. At one point being 17-14 up. But the Malaysian pair Mohamad Arif Ab Latif Arif and Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub Azriyn surged back with 5 consecutive points, creating a nervy ending, which was in their favour. The scores were 16-21, 21-19, 21-19.
Although in the other Men’s Doubles final, second seeds from Russia Konstantin Abramov and Alexandr Zinchenko had a much less eventful time, beating Indians Arun George and Sanyam Shukla 21-15. 21-19. And now they will attempt to do what their team mates couldn’t in the final.
Other semi-final results
Ivanov is not free to leave for the World Championships just yet, as he was victorious in the Mixed Doubles semi-final with his new South Korean partner Kim Min Kyung, beating the Russian number one seeds Evgenij Dremin and Evgenia Dimova, 21-18, 21-15.
Yvonne Li of Germany’s run came to an end when she came up against the unseeded Malaysian Ho Yen Mei, who in the first round comfortably defeated Russian number one seed Evgeniya Kosetskaya, and continued this great form by beating Li 21-17, 21-15.
It wasn’t to be for Russian second seeds Vladimir Malkov in the singles, as he was defeated by the consistent Japanese player Koki Watanabe, 21-12, 21-16.
For the full results and finals fixtures click
here.