Marin Storms into Semifinals – China Open: Day 4
Carolina Marin’s form showed no sign of letting up as she won the third straight match of her comeback – muscling aside He Bing Jiao to enter the semifinals of the VICTOR China Open 2019.
· DEV SUKUMAR
What might further enthuse her was the upset of Ratchanok Intanon, who was due to meet her in the last-four, for Intanon has a 6-3 career record over Marin. The Thai was stunned by Sayaka Takahashi in a thriller, 14-21 21-14 22-20, in the top quarter.
He Bing Jiao had beaten Marin only once in five previous clashes, but the Chinese started smoothly, powering to a first game win with 11 of the last 12 points. Marin though was not disheartened and quickly recovered her poise. With her speed and sharp angles she established her dominance of the rallies, and after 6-all in the second game, the Spaniard was on top.
The Chinese made a great comeback in the third, levelling at 12 after trailing by seven points. A tremendous 38-shot rally followed, with He Bing Jiao sensing her chance to go ahead and Marin staying steady as a rock. The Spaniard caught the Chinese with an attacking clear that she failed to anticipate and the match quickly turned from that point, with Marin running away with it: 11-21 21-14 21-15.