BIRMINGHAM — Former world No. 1 Wang Yihan made an intelligent and tenacious recovery to become the first Chinese player into the quarterfinals of the All-England championships Thursday. Wang had leads of 16-9 and 20-18 nullified in the first game against the surprising Minatsu Mitani, but then made difficult tactical adjustments to push through to a 21-23, 21-6, 21-16 win against the world No. 17 from Japan.
It was the second day in succession that Wang had appeared to be in difficulties. On Wednesday in the first round she was taken the full distance by another Japanese player, Nozomi Okuhara, the 19-year-old former world junior champion and at 16 the youngest player ever to win the Japan Open.
She will play the winner of Kim Hyo Min of Korea and Saina Nehwal, the world No. 3 from India.
On Wednesday, no. 1-ranked Chen Long and five-time champion Lin Dan shrugged off early trouble Wednesday to reach the second round, while Olympic gold medalist Li Xuerui made a winning start in the women's draw. The setback proved a hindrance in the first game, with fellow Chinese player Xue Song racing away with a 21-12 win.
An upset result loomed when Chen netted at 16-16 in the second game before the 2013 All England champion rattled off three points in a row to set up a decider.
Chen's forehand smash was prominent thereafter and he comfortably took the match 21-9 to advance.
Lin, a five-time All England winner, had a prolonged spell away from the game after his last appearance in Birmingham in 2012. He blamed “rusty” badminton for his struggles during a 21-14, 12-21, 21-16 victory over Wei Nan of Hong Kong. — Agencies
