OLYMPICS /
Team China
Third seed Bao downed by Korean Lee, top seed Lin advances
Xinhua
Updated: 2008-08-14 22:28
BEIJING - No.3 seed Bao Chunlai from China was ousted by Lee Hyun-il from South Korea 2-0 while his compatriot top seed Lin Dan brushed aside Peter Gade from Denmark in the quarter-finals of men's singles badminton tournament at the Beijing Olympics on Thursday.
Lee Hyun-il of South Korea (front) makes a net play against Bao Chunlai of China during their men's singles quarter-final badminton match at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 14, 2008. [Agencies] |
As the only Chinese player in the bottom half, Bao failed to secure a final berth for China. Lee Hyun-il will meet No. 2 seed Lee Chong Wei from Malaysia in the semi-final of the bottom half.
The 1.90-meter shuttler let his defence easily penetrated by the opponent, and lost the struggle at the net to the much more confident Korean.
"I lagged too much behind 6-15 in the first game, and it cost me too much energy to catch up," said the world No.3, "Lee played much better at the net."
When asked if he would participate in the next Olympic Games in London, "I don't know," replied the 25-year-old who was defeated by another South Korean Park Tae-sang in the third round at the Athens Olympics.
"During the match, I tried to force him to make errors and this is why I won the match today," said the world No. 10 Korean. "I have always been confident."
On his next opponent Lee, the Korean Lee said they were familiar with each other as they had met each other for many times and tied their head-to-head record 5-5.
"All I have to do is to face the match confidently. I am really looking forward to this game," the Korean said.
Lin Dan of China hits a shot against Peter Hoeeg Gade of Denmark during their men's singles quarter-final badminton match at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 14, 2008. [Agencies] |
Top seed Lin Dan, nicknamed "Super Dan" for his dominance on the badminton court, succeeded in moving one more step forward at the Beijing Olympic Games, by beating Peter Gade from Denmark and advancing into the semifinals.
Lin beat Gade at 21-13, 21-16.
Lin, ranked No. 1 in the world, was the most favorite to win the men's singles gold at the Beijing Olympics.
