Saturday, August 10, 2013

Badminton World Championships: Koreans dash Koo-Tan’s dream

GUANGZHOU: South Koreans Kim Ki Jung-Kim Sa Rang crushed the hopes of Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong to reach the men’s doubles semi-finals of the World Championships at Tianhe Indoor Gymnasium in Guangzhou today.

Second seeds Kien Keat-Boon Heong, having lost to the South Koreans twice before, succumbed under pressure again as they suffered a 21-15, 21-16 loss in 42 minutes.

Kien Keat said Ki Jung-Sa Rang seemed to have something extra when playing them and they could not rattle the Koreans at all in the match.

"They seem to be able to read our game very well and are confident. Although we played well, once they settled down, we couldn’t make any headway,” said Kien Keat.

“Their defence was solid but despite that, it is very disappointing to lose to them again.”

Boon Heong said they were well prepared for the World Championships and was frustrated their run ended in the last eight.

“We prepared well for this event and the 10-day training in Hong Kong was good. However, we ran out of ideas when the Koreans read our game,” said Boon Heong.

In the men’s singles, China’s Lin Dan stayed on course to clinch an unprecedented fifth world crown after overcoming compatriot and second seed Chen Long 21-13, 22-20 to reach the semi-finals.

He will play the winner of the match between Jan Jorgensen of Denmark and Nguyen Tien Minh of Vietnam which will be played later today.

Meanwhile, women’s singles Olympic champion Li Xuerui of China advanced to the semi-finals after beating Tai Szu Ying of Taiwan 27-25, 21-13.

Women’s doubles defending champions Wang Xiaoli-Yu Yang of China were also through to the last four after 21-11, 21-19 win over Jung Kyung Eun-Kim Ha Na of South Korea.

Lee Chong Wei — now the sole Malaysian player in the championships - meets Indonesia’s Tommy Sugiarto in the last eight later today.
Second seeds Kien Keat-Boon Heong succumbed under pressure again as they suffered a 21-15, 21-16 loss in 42 minutes to Korean team Kim Ki Jung and Kim Sa Rang. -- Pix by Yazit Razali


Read more: Badminton World Championships: Koreans dash Koo-Tan’s dream - Latest - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/badminton-world-championships-koreans-dash-koo-tan-s-dream-1.334849?cache=03%3Fkey%3DKuala+Lumpur%2F7.196217%2F7.425366%2F7.425366#ixzz2bX07A6rT

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