ASIAN CHAMPS 2014 R16 – Top seeds keep falling

Three out of the five top seeds of the event will not feature in the quarter-finals as the hectic schedule took another toll on the favourites in Gimcheon on Thursday. Ko Sung Hyun / Kim Ha Na (photo) and Jang Ye Na / Kim So Young were defeated while men’s doubles top seeds Tsai and Lee from Taiwan did not show up for their match. And other big names were sent packing…

By Raphael Sachetat.  Photos: Badmintonphoto (archives)

Days go by in Korea and seeds keep falling and failing to live up to their rank. On Day 2, it all started very early, when top seeds and title holders Ko and Kim bowed to China’s Zhang Wen and Xia Huan in straight games.

Alas, it was to be a sign that the day wouldn’t be so bright for Koreans on their home soil. Later in the day, it was their compatriots Jang Ye Na and Kim So Young who bit the dust against Hong Kong pairing of Chan and Tse. As if that wasn’t enough, another set of top seeds from the local stable were sent packing: Bae Yeon Ju was beaten by Busanan Ongbamrungphan (photo) from Thailand after an epic battle of 1h20 minutes, while Son Wan Ho, seeded 2nd, was edged by Japan’s Sho Sasaki.

The Japanese enjoyed a good day overall in Korea, with another upset going their way when Sayaka Takahashi (pictured below) beat reigning World Champion Ratchanok Intanon in three games and another match that went over the hour mark.

Click here for complete Thursday results

Badzine will be on site  from Friday until Sunday to bring you reports and photos live from Gimcheon Indoor Gymnasium.