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.
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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.
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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.
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“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.”
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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.
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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.
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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
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RESULTS (SEMI-FINALS)
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Women’s singles
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Zhou Meng (Chn) beat Hirari Mizui (Jpn) 21-9, 18-21, 21-18
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Wang Zhiyi (Chn) beat Wei Yaxin (Chn) 21-14, 21-12.