ASIAN CHAMPS 2011 – A Sho-ck for Chen Jin

Day 3 of the Badminton Asia Championships saw the toppling of six seeded players by their lower-ranked adversaries. Sho Sasaki (photo) of Japan provided the home crowd their biggest shock of the day, with his 21-12, 20-22, 21-15 upset over China’s Chen Jin.

By Pearlyn Kwang, Badzine Correspondent. Photos (live): China Foto Press/ Badmintonphoto

The Japanese ace, who was recently crowned the Yonex Australian Open champion, showed his brilliance once again in Chengdu as he subdued the World Champion after a 1 hour, 18 minute-long battle, amidst the strong support for his opponent. Chen (photo) was worn out by Sasaki’s patient play and simply had no answer to Sasaki’s clever tactics.

Another noteworthy upset came in the women’s singles event, with China’s world number 1 Wang Shixian being booted out of the women’s singles event by compatriot Lu Lan (photo below). A former world number 1 herself, Lu Lan outwitted Wang Shixian 10-21 21-18 21-11, to book a place in the quarter-finals.

It is surely a morale-boosting win for the 2009 World Champion as she gradually makes her comeback.  Due to injuries and various reasons, Lu has seen her world ranking plummet to a lowly 27th. She will next be engaged in another all-China clash, her rival none other than defending champion Li Xuerui.

The other end of the draw saw Thailand’s Porntip Buranaprasertsuk continue her good run from Australia, edging out seventh-seeded Yip Pui Yin in two very tight matches. The 19-year old Thai shuttler will now face a resurgent Cheng Shao Chieh, who ended Japan’s up-and-coming qualifier Mitani Minatsu’s run.

Third seeds in the men’s doubles event, Fang Chieh Min/Lee Sheng Mu, were also stopped early in the race for the highest honour. The Taiwan duo could not overcome their less illustrious opponents, succumbing 18-21, 13-21 to China’s Liu Xiaolong/Qiu Zihan.

Another pair of underdogs from China similarly provided mixed doubles fourth-seeded Songphon Anugritayawon/ Kunchala Voravichitchaikul the same fate as Hong Wei/Pan Pan demolished the Thai pair 21-10, 21-12 in a mere 21 minutes.  Thailand still had some delight in mixed, however, as 2009 World Junior champion Maneepong Jongjit, playing with Savitree Amitapai, ousted 5th-seeded Cheng/Chen of Taiwan to earn a showdown with the top seeds.

All results HERE

Livestream will be available from April 22nd HERE