KOREA MASTERS 2018 QF – Top seeds survive third test

The last remaining top seeds at the Korea Masters, Jordan/Oktavianti and Son Wan Ho, made it through tough quarter-final contests.

Story and photos: Don Hearn

Praveen Jordan and Melati Daeva Oktavianti made it through in three games against Korea’s Kim Won Ho and Baek Ha Na.  They will be one of two Indonesian semi-finalists, while Korea will attempt to engineer an all-Korean final in mixed doubles.

Shortly thereafter, their compatriot Ihsan Maulana Mustofa got a one-game lead against men’s singles top seed and former champion Son Wan Ho.  But Son got back into the driver’s seat and won the third game convincingly.

Women’s doubles is the only one where Korea has already assured itself of a finalist but it is also where Indonesia has its other opportunity.  Yulfira Barkah / Jauza Fadhila Sugiarto got the better of Go Ah Ra and Yoo Chae Ran.

However, China Open champions Lee So Hee / Shin Seung Chan will meet Baek Ha Na / Kim Hye Rin to decide one spot in Sunday’s final.

Korea also has a chance at locking up the final in men’s doubles, a manner of speaking.  Kim Sa Rang is in one final with Tan Boon Heong, while Choi Sol Gyu and Seo Seung Jae beat 6th seeds Chia/Soh in the quarter-finals.

Chinese Taipei will also be attempting to lock up that final, though, as Wang Chi Lin and new partner Po Li Wei beat China’s Huang/Wang.

Han Yue made the most impressive comeback.  She saved two match points in her decider with Nitchaon Jindapol, winning it by snatching the last four consecutive points.