Lin Dan edges teammate to reach last 8 at All-England Open
Updated: 2015-03-06 11:31
(Xinhua)
|
|||||||||||
BIRMINGHAM, England - Five times champion Lin Dan of China fought off tenacious challenge from teammate Tian Houwei to reach the last eight at the All-England Open championships here on Thursday.
Lin, also twice Olympic gold winner and five times world champion, beat the 23-year-old Tian 21-15, 21-19.
"Nobody wants to meet teammates at such an early stage," the 31-year-old Lin said. "Houwei played smartly today, but maybe he has put himself under too much pressure."
Trailing 3-6 in the second game, Tian scored six points in a row for a 9-6 lead with powerful smashes. The scoreline was levelled several times until Tian made it 18-18. But Lin, nicknamed Super Dan in China, gave no chance to his teammate, winning 21-19 and reaching the quarterfinals.
Top seed Chen Long, last year's beaten finalist, crushed Hsu Jen Hao of Chinese Taipei 21-7, 21-9.
Fifth-seeded Lin will next take on Japan's Kento Momota while Chen faces Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei.
In the women's competition, China's top seed Li Xuerui suffered a surprise defeat to less known compatriot Sun Yun.
Li, the winner in 2012, was beaten 21-13, 21-13 by the 21-year-old Sun.
"I have tried my best today, but I have not entirely recovered from my foot injury yet, I only started training again about two weeks ago," Li said.
Second seed Wang Shixian of China beat Bae Yeon Ju of South Korea 21-12, 13-21, 21-9 and her teammate Wang Yihan saw off Japan's Minatsu Mitani 21-23, 21-6, 21-16.
Sixth seed Carolina Marin of Spain, last year's surprise winner at the world championships, also advanced to the last eight with a win over Porntip Buranaprasertuk of Thailand 21-10, 21-16.
Related Stories
Lin wants more freedom for players 2015-03-05 07:47
Lin Dan returns to All England after 3-year absence as favorite 2015-03-04 08:58
Lin Dan, Lee Chong Wei set up semifinal clash 2014-09-28 01:02
Lin Dan leads Youth Olympic Games torch relay in Nanjing 2014-08-09 09:23
Chinese superstar Lin Dan wins Australian Open final 2014-06-29 21:39
Today's Top News
Bright Food continues with overseas expansion
China lowers annual GDP growth target to 7%
China faces 'formidable challenges'
Diplomats talk about 'two sessions'
US ambassador to S.Korea attacked
Belgian royal couple to visit China
China faces 'formidable challenges', says Li
China's defense budget to rise about 10%
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
Annual legislative and political advisory sessions |
Festival Special: Apps that make holiday shopping easier |
Listed firms caught in anti-corruption net |
Conca set to return to China |
CES: Spotlight on Chinese gadgets |
Yearender: What happened around the globe in 2014 |