The only unseeded Chinese shuttlers Xie Zhongbo and Guo Zhendong ousted Chinese Taipei pair Yu Hsun Chien and Yu Lang Lin to reach the second round of men's doubles at the world badminton championships in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.

 

The Chinese duo was a little bit slow-heated and trailed in the opening game. When they leveled the score at 16-16, Xie/Guo found their rhythm but the game was still so tight that the Chinese Taipei pair saved four game points before losing at 25-23.

 

"I never played in this stadium, which is a large one and shuttlecock speed is kind of slower. In the second game, we changed our strategy as to smash to their openings," Xie said after the match.

 

Xie and Guo began to control the second game and led the way to a 21-18 finish.

 

"Comparatively speaking, we had a nice draw, so we hope to win a medal this time," added Xie, who is playing his third world championships.

 

In the next round, Xie and Guo will meet Malaysia's Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif/Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari.

 

"They have home advantage, so we have to be cautious," said Xie.

 

Chinese mixed doubles pair Xu Chen/Zhao Tingting enjoyed a comfortable win against Valeriy Atrashchenkov/Elena Prus of Ukraine, 21-9, 21-10.

 

Chen Yu, the sixth seed, sent packing New Zealand's John Moody 21-13, 21-11 in men's singles.

 

Chen just recovered from a fever that forced him out of training sessions of Chinese team before the tournament.

 

"I still feel dizzy during the match," said Chen. "But since the tourney has started, I will gradually pick up my form."

 

"Before the match, I have studied the videos of my opponent to at least prepare for the match mentally," he added.

 

Lu Lan, one of Chinese women's singles young hopeful, pipped Singapore's Xing Aiying 21-9, 21-15.

 

"Though she is younger than me, I am stronger overall," said Lu.

 

(Xinhua News Agency August 14, 2007)