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.
Tainan TSG Hawks slugger Steven Moya, who is leading the CPBL in home runs, has withdrawn from this weekend’s All-Star Game after the unexpected death of his wife. Moya’s wife began feeling severely unwell aboard a plane that landed at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport on Friday evening. She was rushed to a hospital, but passed away, the Hawks said in a statement yesterday. The franchise is assisting Moya with funeral arrangements and hopes fans who were looking forward to seeing him at the All-Star Game can understand his decision to withdraw. According to Landseed Medical Clinic, whose staff attempted to save Moya’s wife,
Shohei Ohtani on Wednesday homered for the fifth consecutive game, tying a Los Angeles Dodgers franchise record. Yankees star Aaron Judge was the last player to homer in five consecutive games, accomplishing that feat last year. Ohtani, who leads the National League with 37 home runs, homered in the first inning off Minnesota Twins starter Chris Paddack. He hit a slow curveball 134m to center. He carried the bat midway down the first-base line and then did a bat flip. He did not hit a home run later in the game with the Dodgers trailing, but his presence was felt. With two outs
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. He bounced back to take the next games 21-15, 21-8 and set up a tough quarter-final
The Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday acquired Taiwanese-American outfielder Stuart Fairchild from the Atlanta Braves for cash considerations to fill the roster after All-Star second baseman Brandon Lowe was placed back on the injured list. Fairchild was designated for assignment by the Braves on Monday after hitting .216/.273/.333 in 28 games for Atlanta, with most of his work coming as a pinch runner or defensive replacement. He joins Tampa Bay as a versatile fourth outfielder option. To make room for Fairchild on the 40-man roster, the Rays transferred relief pitcher Manuel Rodriguez (forearm strain) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day