2012 Yonex Dutch Open: Markis Kido, Pia Zebadiah Bernadeth proceed to semi-final round

2012 Yonex Dutch Open: Markis Kido, Pia Zebadiah Bernadeth proceed to semi-final round

Mixed Doubles team Markis Kido-Pia Zebadiah Bernadeth of Indonesia proved their worth in Yonex Dutch Open as they surged into semi-final round on Friday, October 12, 2012.

They remained invincible in front of the higher ranked Polish duo Wojciech Szkudlarczyk-Agnieszka Wojtkowska and cleared the quarter-final round with a staggering knock of 21-18 and 21-19.

Though, this 30-minute battle concluded in just two games but still local spectators of Almere in Netherlands were lucky enough to watch top class badminton.

Both contenders made every effort to reserve a spot in top four teams of the tournament but finally the Indonesian campaigners raised hands as victors.

Markis Kido and Pia Zebadiah showed great chemistry in both games and sealed a straight-set win.

They took a slow start in the first set but it did not stop them from bagging the opening match point with distinction.

In first half of the set, they looked a bit shaky as many of their strokes landed out of the court. They kept trailing behind the opposing team until figure of seven but then a couple of productive rallies boosted their confidence.

Markis Kido and Pia Zebadiah capitalised this flow and reached to a commanding position of 11 before the interval.

However, they could not carry this momentum in later part of the game and their competitors made the best out of their failure.

The twosome of Wojciech and Agnieszka ruled the court in four consecutive rallies and caught their challengers in third quarter of the set.

Both teams stood toe-to-toe until 18-17 and this hard fought game ended when Markis-Pia registered 21-18 score on the board.

The Indonesian shuttlers played with similar conviction in the following game. They proved themselves late bloomers as their comeback from a four-point deficit was a real feast for the eyes.

They were down 15-19 at mid-game break and it was felt that the Polish couple will enjoy a smooth ride to victory.

However, Markis and Pia showed great fighting spirit and locked the honour with a concluding figure of 21-19.

Now they are scheduled to meet Marcus Ellis-Gabrielle White of England in the semi-final round.