CHLOE MAGEE HAS bowed out of the Olympic Games after making top German Karin Schnaase really earn the win at the Riocentro.
Schnaase took the win 21-14, 21-19, but was pushed every inch of the way by the Raphoe pocket rocket, who left every sinew of her being upon the court.
A poor start to the first set cost Magee, but Donegal’s three-time Olympian had Schnaase to the pin of her collar for the remainder of the match, but defeat means she makes her exit from the Games.
When Schnaase hurt her left knee during the opening set, it enabled Magee catch a breathe and the stoppage certainly helped the Irish representative.
She had too much to do in the first set and fell 21-14, but she was on the German’s every move in the second.
That second set set was nip-and-tuck before Schnaase hit five-in-a-row to move 10-6 ahead.
Magee hit back with a superb shot down the line that caught the German out.
At times, there were millimetres in winning and losing a point.
When Schnaase drove into the net to bring Magee back to within two, the German’s howls of frustration told the story of just how tight it was becoming.
Another brilliant rally, that went on for a mind-boggling 36 shots, ended with Magee narrowing the gap to a point before the Raphoe woman drew level through a hawkeye call.
Magee moved 16-15 ahead, but Schnaase turned the tables to eke out the win, in spit of a gutsy and determined effort by Magee.
[adrotate group=”81″]There seemed for a time in the first set as if Schnaase mightn’t have been able to continue.
The 31-year-old German, who is ranked number 28 in the world, was leading 15-6 when she slipped awkwardly while attempting to return the shuttle.
After some attention by the physio at courtside, Schnaase was deemed fit enough to continue.
Magee made the German work on the resumption, but the gap was perhaps a little too much to claw back, although the Donegal woman did narrow the margin to five at one stage.
[adrotate group=”46″]But Schnaase had spadework done and had six game points with a 20-14 advantage at the end of the opening set after a much-improved display from Magee.
A backhand error was punished by Schnaase, who claimed the set 21-14.
Schnaase, who is appearing at the Olympic stage for the first time, managed to hold the edge – but only just – to take the second set and deny Magee a win at her third Olympics.
The draw was always against the former Royal and Prior Comprehensive School student.
[adrotate group=”38″]Wang Yihan from China – the silver medal winner in London four years ago – defeated Magee 21-7, 21-12 yesterday, but there were signs of improvement from Magee in the second set of that game.
Magee’s heightening confidence was outlined by a magnificent opening rally that saw her claim the opening point, but after going 2-0 up, the Raphoe woman saw a few unforced errors seized by the German.
Schnaase raced 12-3 in front before Magee did come back with a point.
[adrotate group=”37″]Magee handed Schnaase a couple of points with misjudges of the distance in her shots, which dropped just the wrong side of the baseline.
The stoppage to allow for treatment to Schnaase’s left knee allowed Magee regain some composure, but ultimately the German had just a little too much when it came to the crunch.
Magee exits, but with her head held high.
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