BWF WORLD Superseries Finals 2014 : Day 1 (17th December 2014) - Group Stage

INA leads for the first time 8-7 but Maheswari hit out 8-all.

 

A game of attrition. But JPN is now taking the initiative with more daring shots.
INA replied with a smash winner, 10-all.

 

JPN leads 11-10 at the interval.

 

Polii played a beautiful net drop to win back a point but Kakiiwa replied with a smash. JPN leads 12-11.

 

Polii's smashes repeatedly but was incredibly retrieved by Maeda.

However 13-all for all their efforts.

 

INA was in tatters as JPN attacked fiercely. But she escaped when the umpire missed a shot that touched Maheswari's left hand.

Now JPN still leads 17-16.

 

INA still concentrating on Maeda but when the it was Kawiika's turn, she hit into the net, after a record long rally again! 17-all.

 

INA back into the lead after mounting a furious attack. 18-17,

 

Now Umpire put up his hand and called the referee.

INA coach it seems is shouting out instructions during rallies.

 

It is difficult for both sides to win a point as their retrieving abilities are superb. So they have to create an attacking opportunity with long rallies.

19-18 for INA.

 

A rare occurrence, the INA coach caught giving instructions during rallies by the umpire (more than once he claimed) who then called in the tournament referee and she came and stood beside the said coach. Strange.

 

A side line misjudgment by JPN gave INA the match point 20-18.

 

It seems that WD has become more grueling than MD with so many multiple long rallies played which is the norm actually.

 

INA still targeting Maeda by pushing her to the back, but Maeda responded unexpectingly with a smash.
19-20 JPN serves.

 

Two costly mistakes by Maheshwari and the JPN are back in business.

 

Maheswari smashed out. 20-all.

She followed up with hitting the net cord. 21-20 for JPN.

And JPN gave their all by attacking to win back G2.

The decider will also perhaps be long-drawn.

 

INA should have won G2 and the match. But they lost their cool.

 

Good start for INA 4-2.

 

But JPN is creeping up 3-4 with more attacks.

 

Maeda missed a smash opportunity at the net 6-3 to INA.