Wang Zhiyi
Japan’s giant-killer Hirari Mizui could not prevent an all-China women’s singles final when she went down fighting to China’s Zhou Meng (main pix) in a three-game thriller in the semi-final in the Pembangunan Jaya Raya Badminton Asia Junior Championships in Bintaro, Japan on Saturday.
In the final, Zhou Meng will meet compatriot and number two seed Wang Zhiyi who walked away with a 21-14, 21-12 win over fourth seed Wei Yaxin in an-all China semi-final.
The unseeded Japanese who knocked out top seed Phittayaporn Chaiwan of Thailand also in three sets- 21-8, 20-22, 21-7 – in the quarter-finals on Saturday was “out of reach” against the third-seeded Zhou Meng.
“I tried my best but just could not get my game going when it mattered most,” said Mizui after her defeat. “Nevertheless, I am happy to return home with a bronze medal in the singles.”
The losing semi-finalists win the bronze medal in the Badminton Asia Junior Championships. She adds the individual bronze to the silver medal she won the mixed team championships, losing 3-0 to China in the final.
Mizui, however, gave Zhou Meng a run for her money. The match also saw Zhou Meng getting a yellow card for delaying tactics after she was given time to change her shorts during the break in the third game.
Despite the yellow card Zhou Meng kept her aggressive game in check and often left Mizui “out of reach” with her baseline drops.- Badminton Asia
RESULTS (SEMI-FINALS)
Women’s singles
Zhou Meng (Chn) beat Hirari Mizui (Jpn) 21-9, 18-21, 21-18
Wang Zhiyi (Chn) beat Wei Yaxin (Chn) 21-14, 21-12.
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