ASIAN CHAMPS 2011 – Minatsu sends Wang Xin packing

The second day of the ongoing Badminton Asia Championships in Chengdu, China had its share of surprises, amongst which the defeat of 3^rd seed Wang Xin of China to Japan’s youngster Mitani Minatsu.

By Raphaël Sachetat. Photos (live): China Foto Press/ Badmintonphoto

Wang Xin should have been warned better. Mitani Minatsu (photo) may not be well known yet on the international circuit, she is a very strong opponent and certainly one of the players to count on for the future. The 19-year-old Japanese, runner-up in the Australian Open last year, had stunned Julia Wong in the qualifying rounds and has been capitalizing on confidence from the past few weeks, with two victories in International Challenge tournaments, in Croatia and Osaka.

On Tuesday in Chengdu, Minatsu had the win of her young career against former world number one Wang Xin (photo), beating the Chinese on her home ground 21-19, 21-17 in only 33 minutes, and securing a third round spot against Taipei’s Cheng Shao Chieh.   It is a blow to China, who have only one shuttler left in the lower half of the draw – Wang Yihan, while all other their top shuttlers will fight in the upper half. Lu Lan will take on Wang Shixian in a match that should prove to be one of the Thursday highlights.

Japan’s hero from the Yonex All England, Eriko Hirose, on the other hand, was sent packing by the reigning Youth Olympic Champion Sapsiree Taerattanachai.

In the men’s singles, all top Chinese went through Wednesday’s round of 32, with Lin Dan (photo) having another easy day with a win over Amar Awad of Syria. The top seeded player in the absence of world number one Lee Chong Wei will move on to the next round to play China’s promising Kai Wen. No fewer than 7 Chinese are left in the last 16, meaning they will soon meet each other if they have similar fates on Thursday.

The mixed doubles saw three major withdrawals.  Neither Lee Yong Dae nor Shin Baek Cheol made the trip to China – leaving the road open to Ikeda/Shiota and Vishnu/Balan – while He Hanbin and Yu Yang could not compete more than two points before retiring.

All results HERE

Livestream will be available from April 22nd HERE