Marcus Ellis and Chris Langridge insist their fairytale is not over despite defeat in the Olympic semi-final of the men’s doubles on Tuesday afternoon. The duo were downed by the Chinese pair of Zhang Nan and Fu Haifeng 21-18, 21-14 in under an hour in Riocentro.
But they will have to pick themselves up again quickly as they go again in the bronze medal match on Thursday – again against a Chinese pair of Biao Chai and Wei Hong. The duo are looking to become badminton’s first Olympic medallists since Nathan Robertson and Gail Emms took silver in Athens in the mixed doubles. And Ellis admits he and his partner will need to get over their disappointment, and fast, if they are to achieve their dream of making the podium.
“It is quite difficult, usually when you have lost you’re out of the competition,” he said. “To regroup and get back on the horse, so to speak, is quite strange but I am still really positive.
“We didn’t perform to how we wanted to today but they are a world-class pair. When you get to this point, you really feel like you can win this thing.
“But in the next match we have not played that pair before, which is something we have got to be excited about.
“Playing for a bronze medal is still a great achievement and I am still really excited and motivated to go out there and do well.”
Langridge and Ellis have lit up the badminton arena this week with their attacking style, which they showcased again in an impressive display today. But it was China’s fourth seeds who made a fast start and raced into an early lead in the first game courtesy of some mean defence and clinical winners. They eventually won it 21-14, but the British pair hit back in an event second game before Ellis found the net on match point – giving China victory.
