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Team China

World No 1 Wang eliminated as Super Dan advances

Updated: 2011-04-22 10:02

(Xinhua)

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CHENGDU, Southwest China - World number one Wang Shixian of China was eliminated by world champion Lu Lan in the women's singles events while other five Chinese players advanced into the top eight at the Asian Badminton Championships on Thursday.

Wang was ousted by teammate and world champion Lu in the second round. Lu, ranked 27th in the world, came back from behind to stun Wang 10-21, 21-18 and 21-11.

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The 21-year-old Wang had a better start by flipping through the first game, but the top seed lost her rhythm later on, hitting back the shuttle wide or under the net. The unstoppable Lu stormed to take the decisive game by fierce attacking.

"I was tired. I made too many mistakes on the court," said Wang, who clinched her first title at the All England Open last month.

"I am familiar with Lu. Both of us were in the same level though the gap in world rankings, therefore it is normal that she beat me."

Lu, world champion in 2009, set up a clash with another teammate and sixth-seeded Li Xuerui. Second-seeded Chinese Wang Yihan coasted into the quarterfinals as Australian Open winner Liu Xin of China will also face her compatriot Jiang Yanjiao.

China also booked five seats in men's singles. "Super Dan" Lin Dan squeezed through an hour-long tough game, beating teammate Wen Kai at 18-21, 21-19 and 21-16.

"He's a good buddy to me. Whenever I met my teammate, I always suffered in mixed feelings that supressed my move," said the local favorite Lin. Lin's appearance on the court magnetized the scatter seating audience tight in his side.

However, world champion Chen Jin of China was edged off by Japanese Sasaki Sho at 12-21, 22-20, 15-21.

"I'm not in good shape today," said the 24-year-old world champion in 2010. "But it doesn't matter, I aim to adjust myself here. It's OK."

Besides Lin, second-seeded Chen Long approached the next phase aside with Du Pengyu, Bao Chunlai, Wang Zhengming, seeding sixth to eighth in row.

Both men's double and mixed double saw the Chinese players wound up half of the eight berths. The biggest supprising came as world number seven Chieh Min Fang/Sheng Mu Lee of Chinese Taipei were ousted by Chinese world 36th duo Xiaolong Liu/ Zihan Qiu.

"Before the match, we didn't expect that they can play so fiercely. So somehow we are in a loose form. Lose or win never shaked us," said Lee.

All the top players advanced into the quarterfinals in the women's doubles.

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