Chinese Xie Xingfang, Zhang Ning advance in China Open badminton

Chinese top two badminton players Xie Xingfang and Zhang Ning both their first rounders of the 250,000 US dollars China Open badminton championships here on Wednesday.

Xie, the women's world champion, ousted Rasmussen Tine of Denmark 21-18, 21-12 in about 28 minutes.

The Chinese dominated the match throughout while Rasmussen tried hard to lessen the gap before surrendering the first set 18-21. The Dane still could not find any way out in the second match as the Chinese controlled the match completely to seal the match 21-12.

Xie will meet teammate Wang Yihan in her next match, who just beat Chansrisukot Soratja from Thailand 2-1.

Zhang Ning, the Japan Open champion, thrashed Hirayama Yu of Japan 21-17 and 21-14.

The Japanese once took a lead at the beginning of the match, but Zhang kept calm and found her rhythm to won 21-17. The 32-year-old showed clear advantage over the Japanese that she won the second match 21-14 breezily.

In the men's singles, Chinese top player Lin Dan beat his fellow countryman Xie Xin 21-18, 21-11 in the second round.

At the very beginning, Lin failed to find his rhythm and lagged behind 12-5. Yet, the world champion lived up to his reputation by clawing back to 15-15 and won the first set 21-18.

Lin kept his momentum in the second and beat Xie with his wit net play, perfect shots and fast speed. Lin won the second set breezily 21-11.

Teammates Bao Chunlai, Chen Yu and Lu Qicheng all went into the third round. Bao came back from one set down to win over Kidd Nicholas of England 21-9, 21-11 and 21-11. Both Chen and Lu scored straight set victories.

On Thursday, Lin Dan will meet teammate Lu Qicheng while Bao Chunlai will play Hariyanto from Japan.

In men's doubles, Chinese world champions Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng beat Lo Lok Ki and Leung Chun Yiu from Hong Kong, China 21-11 and 21-11 to enter the second round.

Source: Xinhua