Olympic champion Chen Yufei, Akane Yamaguchi power into last 16 at China Open

CHANGZHOU: Olympic champion Chen Yufei of China and world No. 2 Akane Yamaguchi of Japan both stormed into the second round of the women’s singles at the badminton China Open here. Second-seeded Yamaguchi eliminated Indonesia’s Putri Kusuma Wardani 21-12, 21-18 to reach the last 16.

In the men’s singles, world No. 2 Anthony Sinisuka Ginting of Indonesia suffered an early exit at the hands of Japan’s Kanta Tsuneyama 21-11, 18-21, 21-17, while another Japanese contender Kodai Naraoka, seeded fourth, secured a 26-24, 12-21, 21-11 win against Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia.

China’s top men’s singles player Shi Yuqi also booked a last-16 berth by sweeping Magnus Johannesen of Denmark 21-8, 21-11.

His compatriot Li Shifeng fought 75 minutes to overcome Chou Tien-chen of Chinese Taipei 21-14, 18-21, 21-18, and will take on his teammate Lu Guangzu, who beat Ng Ka Long Angus of Hong Kong, China 21-17, 21-15.

In the mixed doubles, China’s Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping defeated Hee Yong Kai Terry and Tan Wei Han Jessica of Indonesia in straight sets.

He Jiting/Zhou Haodong and Liu Shengshu/Tan Ning, both of China, also progressed through in the men’s and women’s doubles respectively. IANS

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