ALL ENGLAND 2011 Round 1 – Lu Lan Powers Through to Round 2

China’s 2009 World Champion Lu Lan took to court number 2 today looking as fit and as strong as she has in the last year and her display against Sayaka Sato serves to suggest that the 2008 finalist is ready to take the challenge to her more illustrious team-mates in her quest to lift the All England title.

Article and interview by Mark Phelan (Live in Birmingham)

With the forced withdrawal of Tine Baun and Wang Yihan, the former World Champion from China has arrived in Birmingham in super physical and mental shape in her quest to lift the title that she so nearly won back in 2008.

Although her ranking slipped outside the top 20 in 2010, Lu Lan looks to be back and in better shape than ever if the evidence of her first round match is to serve as a gauge. The smiling Chinese star controlled the match from start to finish against Sayaka Sato and the Japanese player was unable to match the power and accuracy of her Chinese opponent.

Lu Lan took the match in 2 games and now advances to meet her team-mate Jiang Yanjiao (seeded 6) which will test her championship credentials to the maximum.

To hear Lu Lan’s post match thoughts in video just click on the image above or click HERE

If you are coming for the All England Championships, or whenever you visit Birmingham, try Badzine’s partner hotel, the City Nites Apartments. Offering fully-serviced apartments, it is a stylish setting for long or short-term business people and visitors, and a great place to stay during the All England Championships.

CLICK HERE to make a reservation at the City Nites

For all results CLICK HERE