OLYMPICS /
Team China
Second seed Lu Lan survives marathon quarters
Xinhua
Updated: 2008-08-13 20:44
BEIJING - No.2 seed Lu Lan from China Wednesday clinched the 4th match point in the quarterfinal of badminton women's singles against Wong Mew Choo from Malaysia after surviving nine game points in the second game.
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Wong Mew Choo of Malaysia reaches for a shot during her women's singles quarter-final badminton match against Lu Lan of China at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, August 13, 2008. [Agencies]
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Lu Lan of China celebrates winning her women's singles quarter-final badminton match against Wong Mew Choo of Malaysia at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, August 13, 2008. [Agencies]
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Lu Lan, currently ranked at No.2, enjoyed an easy win in the first game 21-7, however, the 8th seed Wong staged a strong comeback in the second game by claiming nine game points, of which she didn't seize a single one, and finally lost the game 27-29.
After the 51-minute match, Lu Lan said they both exerted 100 percent in the second game, which is an excellent test to her psychology on the court.
"I didn't give up when I lagged behind 15-20 in the second game, " said the 20-year-old, adding that she now boasts much confidence in herself.
The Malaysian girl said she got to fight in the second game, as the first one was dominated by Lu Lan, a rising star expected to lead the reigning Chinese women's singles squad.
"When I led the game at 20-15, my hand became a little bit stiff, and thus made unforgivable mistakes one after another," said the 25-year-old.
In the semifinals, Lu Lan will meet the winner of a quarterfinal between top seed Xie Xingfang from China and No.8 seed Xu Huaiwen from Germany.
