The only unseeded Chinese shuttlers Xie Zhongbo and Guo Zhendong
ousted Chinese Taipei pair Yu Hsun Chien and Yu Lang Lin to reach
the second round of men's doubles at the world badminton
championships in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.
The Chinese duo was a little bit slow-heated and trailed in the
opening game. When they leveled the score at 16-16, Xie/Guo found
their rhythm but the game was still so tight that the Chinese
Taipei pair saved four game points before losing at 25-23.
"I never played in this stadium, which is a large one and
shuttlecock speed is kind of slower. In the second game, we changed
our strategy as to smash to their openings," Xie said after the
match.
Xie and Guo began to control the second game and led the way to
a 21-18 finish.
"Comparatively speaking, we had a nice draw, so we hope to win a
medal this time," added Xie, who is playing his third world
championships.
In the next round, Xie and Guo will meet Malaysia's Mohd Zakry
Abdul Latif/Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari.
"They have home advantage, so we have to be cautious," said
Xie.
Chinese mixed doubles pair Xu Chen/Zhao Tingting enjoyed a
comfortable win against Valeriy Atrashchenkov/Elena Prus of
Ukraine, 21-9, 21-10.
Chen Yu, the sixth seed, sent packing New Zealand's John Moody
21-13, 21-11 in men's singles.
Chen just recovered from a fever that forced him out of training
sessions of Chinese team before the tournament.
"I still feel dizzy during the match," said Chen. "But since the
tourney has started, I will gradually pick up my form."
"Before the match, I have studied the videos of my opponent to
at least prepare for the match mentally," he added.
Lu Lan, one of Chinese women's singles young hopeful, pipped
Singapore's Xing Aiying 21-9, 21-15.
"Though she is younger than me, I am stronger overall," said
Lu.
(Xinhua News Agency August 14, 2007)