Denmark’s Fischer eyes Olympic medal

Denmark’s Joachim Fischer is confident he and his partner Christinna Pedersen have it in them to win an Olympic medal next year.

The duo, who made a big break through in their career when they won the Hong Kong Open last month, reached the semi-finals of the PROTON Malaysia Open, the opening event of the 2011 OSIM BWF World Superseries.

In reaching the last four at Kuala Lumpur’s Putra Stadium, the Danish pair had to get the better of China’s third seeds Zhang Nan-Zhao Yunlei, a combination many feel is the best mixed doubles at the moment.

“Winning in Hong Kong and beating Zhang and Zhao has certainly given us a big confidence boost,” said Fischer after the 20-22, 21-12, 21-19 victory which lasted 69 minutes.

“Our short term goal is to win the PROTON Malaysia Open but we also want to win more OSIM BWF World Superseries tournaments and qualify for next year’s Olympics.

“I believe we have it in us to win a medal in London – it doesn’t matter what colour.”

Pedersen, meanwhile, said the crowd played a big part in their victory over the third seeds.

“They were very supportive of us and it feels good to have such backing. It was a great match but we were a little unlucky to lose the first game. Joachim was on fire today and they could not match his speed,” said Pedersen.

“The crowd was unbelievable and I hope they support us again when we play in the semi-finals. This is one of our favourite venues and that’s why it feels so good to reach the semi-finals.”

Waiting for them in the semi-final is China’s He Hanbin-Ma Jin who upset second seeds Ko Sung Hyun-Ha Jung Eun of South Korea in a titanic battle which had the crowd enthralled.

After losing the first game 21-16, the Chinese duo upped the pace to draw level with a comprehensive 21-11 victory. This set the stage for a tight deciding game which saw the Chinese pair edge it 21-19.

The other semi-final will see China’s Jiaming Tao-Tian Qing facing the Scotland-England partnership of Robert Blair-Gabrielle White..

The fifth seeded Jiaming Tao-Tian Qing came back from a first game loss to defeat fourth seeded Chinese Taipei pair Chen Hung Ling-Cheng Weng Hsing 21-23, 21-12, 21-13 while Blair-White were also taken to three games before beating Songphon Anugritayawon-Kunchala Voravichitchaikul of Thailand 21-15, 18-21, 21-17.

courtesy of BWF

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