Fairuzizuan-Zakry grab quarter-final spot, finally
News 11:53 AM
THE men’s doubles pair of Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari-Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif have finally landed a spot in the quarter-finals of the world championships. And they did it in style yesterday.
The fourth seeds played their hearts out to stretch their unbeaten record against Indonesians youngsters Yonathan Suryatama Dasuki-Rian Sukmawan to four matches. They won the third-round match 21-14, 21-17 in just 29 minutes.
Zakry was thrilled with their breakthrough and he was happy that he kept his emotions in check throughout the match.
“Finally, we reached our first quarter-finals in the world championships. We played even better than yesterday and that felt very nice,” he said.
Fine combo: Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif (left) and Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari congratulating each after beating Japan’s Yoshiteru Hirobe-Hajime Komiyama during their third-round match. “Our coach (Rexy Mainaky) told me specifically to control my emotions. I was told to enjoy the game and not to allow a small mistake to get me all worked up. I was relaxed and was able to play my game.”
The duo played brilliantly in the first game with Fairuzizuan setting up shots for Zakry to hammer with a flurry of smashes.
They continued their fine form in the second game and took a 12-9 lead before the Indonesians came charging back into the game. There were anxious moments and Fairuzizuan was glad that they pulled through.
“We read their game well but we were making some silly mistakes to give away easy points,” he said.
“I was quite tense when they narrowed the gap. I used to get all worked up but this time, I was relaxed. Instead of going for sloppy shots, I was able to play well.”
The victory gave them a match today against South Koreans Cho Gun-woo-Yoo Yeon-seong, a pair whom they have beaten in three previous encounters.
“On paper, we are the favourites but we will not take them lightly. They have done well here so far and we will be ready for them,” said Fairuzizuan.
Added Zakry: “We have to be mentally stronger tomorrow as it will not be an easy match. We will give our best.”
Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong also stormed into the quarter-finals.
The second seeds defeated Japanese Naoki Kawamae-Shoji Sato 21-14, 21-17 to set up a match against 2005 champions Howard Bach-Tony Gunawan of the United States.
Bach-Tony pulled off a stunning 21-18, 21-18 win over sixth seeds Mathias Boe-Carsten Morgesen of Denmark.
“It will be tough against the Americans tomorrow. They have been world champions and can play very well on their good day.
“We have not played against them. We will study their game and be prepared for them,” said Kien Keat.
Posted by Lucas Liau
on 11:53 AM.
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