Lin survives but his girlfriend exits

LONDON: China's Lin Dan stuttered in the defense of his All England badminton title in Birmingham on Wednesday with a 16-21, 21-8, 21-11 first-round victory over Anup Sridhar of India.

But Xie Xingfang, the world No 1's girlfriend and top seed in the women's event, lost her first-round match as did No 2 seed and Olympic champion Zhang Ning.

Sridhar had been expected to test top-seeded Lin after stretching him at last year's World Championships in Kuala Lumpur.

But after taking the first game Sridhar could not follow through and lost in 42 minutes.

World champion Lin is under extra pressure in Birmingham after ugly scenes in the Korean Open final in January when he lost to home favorite Lee Hyun-il.

They were drawn to meet again in Saturday's semi-finals but, possibly to the relief of officials, Lee lost his firstround match 19-21, 21-19, 21-14 to China's Chen Yu.

The Badminton World Federation is holding meetings in Birmingham during the All England tournament to seek ways of avoiding a repetition of the Korean clashes.

Players and officials are also being reminded how on-court issues, particularly in Olympic year, can harm the sport and disciplinary action could still follow the Seoul bust-up.

With Lee's departure, Lin's biggest rivals loom as Athens gold medalist Taufik Hidayat and No 2 seed Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia, who both enjoyed comfortable first-round victories.

But Indonesia's Sony Dwi Kuncoro, beaten by Lin in last year's World Championship final, had to battle past compatriot Andre Kurniawan Tedjono 11-21, 21-12, 21-9.

On a day of big surprises in the women's event, defending champion Xie lost to unseeded Pui Yin Yip of Hong Kong 22-20, 21-19.

Xie has won the All England title for the last three years but bowed out in 43 minutes to her unheralded opponent.

Zhang, 32, a former world champion, was beaten 21-15, 19-21, 21-19 by Chinese-born Dutchwoman Yao Jie.

Agencies

(China Daily 03/07/2008 page24)