Amazing race by qualifier Kim and she stands tall into semi-finals

The only seed left in quarterfinals, eighth seed Han Xinyun of China earned her semi-final spot in a fierce fight against Naomi Cavaday from Great Britain but she bounced back to win 2-6, 7-5, 6-4 at “ITF Incheon Women’s Challenger Tennis” in Incheon, South Korea on Friday (May 22, 2009). In the last four round, Han will face challenge from resurgent local qualifier Kim So-Jung as she had to go through similar drama when she had a set down but managed to stormed back to defeat her compatriot Chae Kyung-Yee 3-6, 7-5, 6-1. Kim became the only local player through into semi-finals as the other two failed to do so. Kim’s latest fine performance was being runner-up at Gimcheon 25K in early May.

“Special exempt” Elena Chalova from Russia continued her fine form and secured her semi-final berth after she cruised past local qualifier Kim Kun-Hee 6-3, 6-2. Then another Chinese player, Liang Chen tarnished local hope, qualifier Chang Kyung-Mi in a thriller, but she regrouped herself to seal 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over her opponent.

It was truly perfect doubles’ semi-finals since all top four seeded pairs filled the last four round. First and second seeded pairs eventually set-up all Chinese finals after they booted out their opponents. Top seed pair Lu Jing-Jing/Sun Sheng-Nan outclassed third seed duo of Indonesian veterans, Yayuk Basuki/Romana Tedjakusuma 6-1, 6-2. It looked like the Chinese duet had better speed and power than the Indonesians. Then second seed duet, Han Xinyun/Ji Chun-Mei eased past fourth seed pair Elena Chalova/Eugeniya Pashkova from Russia 6-3, 6-1.