World No. 3 Wang Xin failed to clear the second round when she bowed to unheralded Tai Tzu-ying of Taiwan at the Japan Open badminton tournament yesterday.
The Chinese, who was rated the best player in the world at the start of the year, ran out of steam in a close final game to go down 13-21, 21-16, 20-22.
“I couldn’t do anything today. I couldn’t hit the shuttle as well as I usually do,” the 25-year-old third-seeded Wang said, who quickly left the court in disappointment.
Photo: AFP
Fourth seed Indian Saina Nehwal safely went through, although she needed some time before getting into her rhythm to score a 21-17, 21-16 victory over the Vietnam Open champion Fu Mingtian of Singapore.
“Performance-wise now my ankle is better. I’m getting back my form and I hope next season is much better,” she added.
Asked about her goals leading up to the London Olympics next year, the fourth seed said: “Everybody wants to win a medal [in the Olympics]. I hope I win a medal, but it’s not easy. Everyone is playing well. I want to give my best,” she added.
In the quarter-finals today she is scheduled to play the winner between Gu Juan of Singapore and Sayaka Sato of hosts Japan.
Meanwhile, Tine Baun of Denmark, the 2007 Japan Open champion and fifth seed, defeated Maria Febe Kusumastuti of Indonesia 21-18, 13-21, 21-10.
In the men’s singles field, the 2010 All England surprise runner-up Kenichi Tago of Japan became the first quarter-finalist when he defeated Chou Tien-chen of Taiwan 21-17, 21-11.
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