MALAYSIA OPEN 2011 SF – Impressive run by Blair/White ends

Robert Blair and Gabrielle White’s  impressive run at the Malaysia Open came to a frustrating end today as they lost their semi-final to China Open winners Tao Jiaming / Tian Qing in two straight games.

By Lee Suet Yan, Badzine Correspondent live in Kuala Lumpur. Photos: Yves Lacroix for Badmintonphoto (live)

Scotland’s Robert Blair and Gabrielle White of England (pictured) fought through from the qualification rounds to the semi-finals today, but eventually they lost easily to Tao Jiaming / Tian Qing (pictured below) of China.  In the first game, White made too many errors in the first game so the Chinese took it without much difficulty 21-11.  Blair/White looked better in the second game as they took a small lead at 14-13 before the Chinese pulled level again and opened up their own lead. At 18-14, Tian pushed a tricky shot to the back and won themselves a point to 19-14 before they wrapped up the second game 21-15.

“Overall, I think we play quite well although we lost today. Before coming to Malaysia, we just trained for two weeks because I was sick.  I had the flu,” said White after the match.  “Just because I was sick, I never thought that we could enter the semi-final today. It’s really beyond my expectations.”

Asking about their partnership, Blair responded: “We first paired up in the Singapore Open last year and White will be my permanent partner as we target the Olympic Games next year. Although I am also playing in men’s doubles, but I want to put my focus on mixed doubles.”

“I want to focus on my mixed doubles first although I wish I could handle well in both mixed doubles as well as women’s doubles. My women’s doubles partner Jenny Wallwork is also playing in mixed doubles.  She would also like to focus more on mixed so we will have less focus on women’s doubles,” said White.

Asking about her short term target, White responded: “I hope I can try hard to be in the top 10 and to qualify for the Olympic Games next year. Badminton is not a very popular game in England, so I hope to get a medal in my home country to promote badminton in England.”

For complete semi-final results from the 2011 Proton Malaysia Open Super Series, CLICK HERE