Schenk fights for quarterfinals at badminton worlds
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Xinhua, August 12, 2011
German top player Juliane Schenk became the one and only women's singles player that knocked out a Chinese counterpart at the London Badminton World Championships so far as the ninth seed edged Jiang Yanjiao on Thursday to reach the quarterfinals.
Schenk, 28, played confidently with the support of the audience at Wembley Arena. Although she lost the second set 7-21 after an opening set win of 21-14, she unfolded her high-speed attack in style to take the deciding set 21-17.
"I was totally enjoying myself, playing hard and enjoying the great atmosphere," said an excited Schenk. "It's a great performance for me for beating one of the top Chinese player. I was well prepared and I tried my very best today."
Schenk is regarded a major rival for the Chinese team as she has beaten Wang Yihan and Wang Shixian before. Although she lost to Jiang earlier this year, she keeps in great confidence.
"I have big self confidence. No matter losing or winning while against a Chinese player,I can feel I'm at the same level with them," said Schenk." The fighting spirit helped me to win today. I was quite ready for all I can do. I got positive feeling on the court. My speed was high. It's really difficult for her to beat me."
Schenk will meet Dane veteran Tine Baun Tine as the fifth seed came from one set down to defeat South Korean Sung Ji Hyun 13-21, 21-12, 21-10.
Besides, the top three seeds Wang Shixian, Wang Yihan and Wang Xin in the women's singles all reached the quarterfinals.
In the men's singles, world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei from Malaysia blasted past South Korean shuttler Park Sung Hwan in straight sets to reach the quarterfinals first.
Lee, 28, needed only 29 minutes to knock out the ninth seed 21-10, 21-5. His next opponent is Kevin Cordon of Guatemala who unheraldedly defeated the world No. 5 Chen Long in the first round.
After Lee's victory, Olympic champion Lin Dan and defending champion Chen Jin, both from powerhouse China, also passed the third round.
Three-time world champion Lin will face Sho Sasaki as the Japanese came from behind to overcome Lin's teammate Du Pengyu. The 29-year-old Sasaki overplayed Lin for the first time in their last meeting at Indonesian Open in June.
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