China

Zhang Ning powers into quaterfinals

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-09-22 08:58

Top seed Zhang Ning trounced Wong Mew Choo of Malaysia 21-13, 21-13 to reach the women's singles quarterfinals of World Badminton championships on Thursday.

In the quarterfinals, the 31-year-old reigning Olympic champion will meet England's Tracey Hallam, who beat Monthila Meemek of Thailand 21-12, 21-7.

"I feel very satisfied about my performance, you can see I am very confident now," Zhang said.

Zhang was joined in the final eight by the second seed Xu Huaiwen of Germany and her Chinese teammate Xie Xingfang, the third seed.

Xu saw off the challenge from Japanese Eriko Hirose to win by 21-19, 21-10, while defending titlist Xie beat Tine Rasmussen of Denmark 21-14, 21-6.

The fourth seed Wang Chen of Chinese Hong Kong fell before the quarterfinals as she lost to Petra Overzier of Germany 22-20, 4-21, 22-20.

Chinese players reigned supreme in the women's doubles competition after they clinched all the top four slots. Chinese contingent's head coach Li Yongbo warned his players against complacency.

"We don't enjoy as much advantage as before in the women's doubles this time," he said.

"I can see some potential challenges from our rivals, and they could make some trouble in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games," he added.