Super Dan fails to save PLA at National Games

By (Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-10-10 09:07

File photo of China's Lin Dan returns a shuttle during men's singles first round match against his compatriot Qiu Yanbo at 2009 China Badminton Masters Super Series in Changzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Sept. 16, 2009. Lin won 2-0.(By Xinhua)

QINGDAO: Olympic and world champion Lin Dan continued his winning streak by beating Wu Yunyong of Guangdong but failed to save People's Liberation Army (PLA) from losing 3-1 in the men's badminton team tournament at the 11th National Games here on Friday.

The Chinese top shuttler, who joked that the reason why he served as the second singles player for PLA was his current world ranking No. 2, outlasted Wu 21-15, 21-13.

Lin said: "Guangdong reserved their strength today. PLA is not strong enough to vie for the champion but we will try our best."

China's No. 2 men's singles player and world No. 4 Chen Jin, representing Jiangsu, beat Gao Huan of Liaoning in a comfortable way 21-14, 21-9.

"I easily found my rhythm and controlled the game," said Chen after the match. "The goal of our team is to defend the title, but of course we know Fujian is our biggest rival as they have excellent singles players like Chen Long and Chen Hong as well as doubles players Guo Zhendong and Liu Xiaolong."

When talking about his singles tour, Chen didn't have a big dream as he was not in his best form.

Chen's win gave a good start to Jiangsu, which outplayed Liaoning 3-1 and became the first men's team to enter the semifinals.

Another favorite for the semifinals Fujian was upset by Hong Kong of China 3-0.

Chen Long of Fujian, a rising talent who has beaten big names like Lin Dan, Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia and Hidayat Taufik of Indonesia this year, gave way to Hu Yun.

"I prepared very well for the match but Hu did a good job and restrained my performance," said Chen.

The duel between Bao Chunlai of Hunan and Chen Yu of Guangxi was highlighted as they were former national teammates.

Bao led the way in 11-5 in the fist set then Chen retired from the contest citing a left thigh injury.

"When I trained in the morning, the thigh injury is getting worse," said Chen. "I did want to play Bao as the last time I played formal matches was half a year ago since I have become a national coach and cannot take up systematic training. I have to admit Bao's form is better than mine."

Bao never expected the outcome. "A coach cannot have systematic training like athletes," he explained for Chen's exit.

Apart from Hunan's win 3-1, Beijing beat Hubei 3-1.

For women's part, three teams have booked semifinal berths as Guangdong pipped Shanghai 3-1, Hunan beat Shandong 3-0 and Jiangsu defeated Zhejiang 3-2. Considering their win-loss records in the preliminaries round, the three winning teams have already entered the semifinals.

Olympic women's singles runner-up Xie Xingfang spearheaded Guangdong to overcome her national teammate Wang Yihan from Shanghai 21-18, 21-8, helping Guangdong win the match 3-1.

"My form is getting better and better," said Xie after the match.

Xie has been criticized for her poor form after the Beijing Olympics and she might retire after the National Games.

Jiangsu received a tough challenge from Zhejiang but finally seized the victory 3-2. Wang Rong of Jiangsu, playing the decider, defeated Fan Ye of Zhejiang 22-20, 21-14.

Gao Ling, who has the most world titles of 14, partnered with Wei Yili to beat their opponents from Sichuan, setting the winning tune for Hubei 3-1.

In other matches, Fujian defeated Liaoning 3-2 and People's Liberation Army nipped Hong Kong of China 3-0.