by Ian Marshall

Moreover, Valeria Kotcyur could well be on her way to the triple crown; partnering Valeria Shcherbatykh a women’s doubles semi-final place was reserved.

Gold secured

Following success against the host nation’s Erik Raiter and Aiya Ashkeyeva (11-5, 11-1, 11-6), the mixed doubles title was secured at the hands of Uzbekistan’s Mukhammad Uktamboeul and Sugdiyana Magalieva (11-2, 11-5, 11-9).

Earlier, in the corresponding semi-final, Mukhammad Uktamboeul and Sugdiyana Magalieva had overcome colleagues Elmurod Kholikov and Kamila Khalikova (11-6, 11-6, 8-11, 11-6).

Alongside Valeria Shcherbatykh

Good form from Valeria Kotcyur partnering Maksim Karbukin, it was the same in the women’s doubles in harness with Valeria Shcherbatykh. At the semi-final stage the duo ousted Kazakhstan’s Zauresh Akasheva and Sarvinoz Mirkhadirova (11-9, 11-7, 12-10)

They now face India’s Kaushani Nath and Prapti Sen in the final. At the semi-final stage Kaushani Nath and Prapti Sen ended the hopes of Uzbekistan’s Kamila Khalikova and Mekhrinisio Norkulova (11-7, 11-3, 8-11, 13-11).

Full house prevented

Impressive with a partner, it was no different alone. Valeria Kotcyur beat Prapti Sen (11-8, 11-9, 8-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-5) to reserve her semi-final women’s singles place, where she meets Kazakhstan’s Aiya Alimbayeva, the player to prevent a Russian full house.

Hard earned, she recorded a full distance quarter-final win in opposition to Daria Shadrina (8-11, 7-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-4, 11-6, 11-6).

Mixed fortunes for Russia in the lower half of the draw; in the top half it was total dominance.

Ekaterina Okhotnikova beat Kazakhstan’s Sarvinoz Mirkadirova (11-7, 11-6, 8-11, 11-5, 11-9), Valeria Shcherbatykh accounted for Kaushani Nath (11-8, 11-9, 11-9, 11-4).

Different scenario

Rather differently, in the men’s singles event, there is not a Russian in sight; at the semi-final stage Maksim Kaburkin was beaten by Saudi Arabia’s Nai Al-Jadai (11-6, 11-7, 8-11, 10-12, 11-6, 3-11, 11-4).

Nai Al-Jadai now opposes Kazakhstan’s Kirill Gerassimenko, the favourite for gold. At the quarter-final stage he ousted Austria’s Alexander Chen (14-12, 12-10, 11-7, 11-5).

Success for Saudi Arabia, in the lower half of the draw it was a reversal of fortunes; Ali Alkhadrawi was beaten India’s Snehit Suravajjula (11-9, 11-8, 6-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-3), a player whose task is now to regain nation pride.

He faces Pavel Platonov of Belarus, the quarter-final winner in opposition to Sudhansu Grover (13-15, 11-9, 8-11, 11-8, 12-10, 11-3).

Disappointment for India

Differing fortunes for India, at the semi-final stage of the men’s doubles, it was not the best of fortunes.

Siddesh Pande and Mudit Dani lost Ali Alkhadrawi and Saudi Arabian compatriot, Abdulaziz Bu Shulaybi (11-8, 11-8, 11-3), Snehit Suravajjula experienced defeat at the hands of Kirill Gerassimenko and Alan Kurmangaliyev (8-11, 11-2, 11-6, 10-12, 11-5).

Play in Karaganda concludes on Sunday 19th September.