Date:12/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/12/stories/2008081259992000.htm

Sport - Olympic Games

Hidayat shocked

BEIJING: Top-seeded Lin Dan of China coasted to a straight-sets win on Monday while defending champion Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia was ousted in the second round of men’s singles in Olympic badminton.

Lin, playing in his first match of the tournament, defeated Hong Kong’s Wei Ng 21-16, 21-13 to advance to the third round.

Lin’s road to the gold medal cleared a bit when unseeded Wong Choong Hann of Malaysia upset Hidayat 21-19, 21-16.

In an earlier match, Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei defeated Singapore’s Ronald Susilo.

Second-seeded Lee, who is bidding for Malaysia’s first Olympic gold medal, downed Susilo 21-13, 21-14. Many are predicting a showdown between Lee and Lin in the final.

Xie advances

In women’s singles, Lin’s girlfriend, Xie Xingfang of China, posted a 21-16, 21-15 win over Belarus’ Olga Konon to advance to the quarterfinals.

Third-seeded Lu Lan of China cruised to a 21-7, 21-12 win over Canadian Anna Rice, while seventh-seeded Xu Huaiwen of Germany defeated Britain’s Tracey Hallam 21-10, 21-7.

Indonesia’s unseeded Kristen Maria Yulianti upset sixth-seeded Tine Rasmussen of Denmark 18-21, 21-19, 21-14.

Defending Olympic champion and second-seeded Zhang Ning of China also advanced with a 21-11, 21-12 win over South Korea’s Jun Jae-youn. Fifth-seeded Pi Hongyan of France got past Japan’s Eriko Hirose 21-12, 16-21, 21-6. — AP