Taiwan’s world No. 6 shuttler Chou Tien-chen yesterday defeated India’s H.S. Prannoy to advance to the quarter-finals of the China Open in Changzhou.
It was former world No. 2 Chou’s eighth win in 14 matches against Prannoy, who had earlier this week lamented the age divide between him and up-and-comers, although he is only two years younger than 35-year-old Chou.
The Taiwanese, who is seeded sixth at the tournament, rebounded from a close 21-18 loss in game 1 on Court 2 at the Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium.
Photo: AFP
He bounced back to take the next games 21-15, 21-8 and set up a tough quarter-final against 24-year-old world No. 1 Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand, who defeated Malaysia’s Leong Jun Hao 23-21, 21-7.
In other men’s singles, Taiwan’s Lee Chia-hao on Wednesday stunned world No. 12 Lu Guangzu, dominating his Chinese opponent 21-8, 21-15 in a swift 38 minutes.
However, Lee was knocked out yesterday, as China’s Wang Zhengxing had to dig deep to power past the Taiwanese 21-12, 25-27, 23-21.
World No. 16 Lin Chun-yi yesterday nearly upset second seed and world No. 3 Anders Antonsen 21-19, 20-22, 22-20 in 1 hour, 29 minutes. Lin has won just one of his past four encounters against the former world No. 2.
Lin had advanced on Wednesday with a 21-13, 16-21, 21-8 over compatriot Chi Yu-jen.
In women’s singles, Taiwan’s Chiu Pin-chian recovered from a game down against compatriot Sung Shuo-yun to advance to the quarter-finals with a 17-21, 21-15, 21-18 victory.
Chiu, who on Wednesday advanced after Thai seventh seed Pornpawee Chochuwong retired while losing 20-22 21-19 11-5, faces second seed Wang Zhiyi of China in the quarter-finals.
Wang Zhiyi on Wednesday defeated Taiwan’s Hsu Wen-chi 21-16, 21-9, before beating Japan’s Riko Gunji 21-15, 21-13 to advance.
Chiu faced Wang Zhiyi in the round-of-16 at the Malaysia Open in January, where the Taiwanese lost 21-17, 21-13.
In women’s doubles, the Taiwanese world No. 12 duo of Hsieh Pei-shan and Hung Ez-tzu narrowly lost 21-18, 19-21, 21-17 to seventh seeds Kim Hye-jeong and Kong Hee-yong of South Korea.
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