WORLDS 2011 Day 2 – Viva España

While every tennis season starts with an empty sheet, at the end a large part of the tournaments are won by a Spanish players, especially gracing on the clay courts, after years and years of practice. This success might be extended to badminton with one of Europe’s most talented players:  Carolina Marin. Still only 18 years old, the current Spanish Open titleholder overcame 15^th seeded Eriko Hirose to book her ticket for the third round. Yesterday the Spanish teenager had already convinced with a two set victory against the far more experienced Yao Jie.

By Elm Vandevorst, Badzine Correspondent.  Photos: Badmintonphoto (live)

Exactly 69 minutes were required for Carolina Marin (pictured) to ensure she was in the third round of the Yonex BWF World Championships. Already from the first rallies she showed she was not impressed by her opponent’s record. Taking an early lead and still leading at 20-17, Marin suddenly lost her advantage. The Japanese number one took the upper hand and was able to close the gap, resulting in a very narrow 23-21 first game win.

The skillful Spaniard showed she not only has the skills, but also the ability to hold her nerves. Being one game down, she convincingly won both game two and the deciding third with 21-16 before falling on the ground and symbolically kissing the court. She signed then her second significant success, much to the delight of the crowd and of course herself.

“I’m doing much better than expected in these World Championships,” said Carolina afterward. “It’s amazing that I am able to reach the third round already. I was a bit frustrated in the first game as I was leading 20-17 and I lost it, but I kept my focus. I’m glad because it’s the first time I have beaten a Japanese girl so I’m really happy. I don’t really have any targets as I take this as an experience, but I’m really delighted today.“

Marin can now prepare for a third round clash with Cheng Shao Chieh, as the seventh seed from Taiwan had few problems eliminating Belgian Lianne Tan 21-15 21-11. But first the young Spaniard may have the time to support her compatriot Pablo Abian. Abian, who is a regular in the European circuit, has the difficult task of having to beat Marc Zwiebler to advance. Both men already crossed daggers in the second round of the World Championships last year almost a year ago. In Paris, Zwiebler was too strong for his rival, claiming victory 21-13 21-17.

Robertson, Wallwork sent packing

After Marin, another youngster will stand in the spotlight tomorrow, although not to his own intention. Toby Penty is the only player left who will represent the home country on the third day of the World Champs in the singles. Turning 19 years old on Friday, Penty did what most of his countrymen couldn’t: won his match. In a British clash, he outclassed Scotsmen Alistair Casey 21-16 21-10. Together with Chris Adcock, playing alongside Imogen Bankier from Scotland, Penty is the only English shuttler to chalk up a win on Day 2. Mixed doubles duo Adcock and Bankier had an easy day up against Toby Ng and Grace Gao from Canada, and won 21-11 21-14.

Mixed doubles also saw the biggest upset for the local fans, as well as the highest seed to fall in the first two days of the tournament.  The former was the downfall of 10^th seeded pair Nathan Robertson / Jenny Wallwork (pictured) against Malaysians Chan Peng Soon and Goh Liu Ying, who won 21-19, 21-19.  The latter came in the last match of the day as Thailand’s third-seeded Sudket Prapakamol / Saralee Thoungthongkam fell to world #33 Chayut Triyachart / Yao Lei of Singapore.

Click here for complete results