China’s world No. 1 Li Xuerui blasted past compatriot Han Li to enter the women’s singles quarterfinals of the badminton world championships here on Thursday. Xuerui started the contest in irresistible form before closing out an emphatic 21-9, 21-17 victory in just 27 minutes.
“Even in Chinese team competitions she does quite well, she’s not an easy opponent,” Xuerui said before calling out her upcoming opponent in the last eight, India’s Saina Nehwal.
On Wednesday, Saina had asked the Badminton World Federation (BWF) to reduce the number of entrants per country at international tournaments to curb China’s dominance in the sport.
Xuerui one of four Chinese representatives in the women’s draw, responded by saying: “Let her beat me first... she still has to face (Chinese players) whether there are two or three of us. If an opponent isn’t in the Chinese team, of course she can still win. If she’s not strong enough then that’s her own problem.”
Patchy start Saina set up a showdown with Xuerui in the last eight after overcoming a patchy start to claw her way past Japanese 13th seed Sayaka Takahashi 14-21, 21-18, 21-12.
Saina trailed from the start and there was not even one instance in the first game when she could catch up her opponent.
The Japanese opened up a 4-0 lead and held the upper hand throughout. The nearest Saina could reach her rival was at 5-6.
In the second game, the Indian got her act together and surged ahead 7-3, but Takahashi earned four consecutive points to make it 7-7 and then moved swiftly to extend the gap.
Just when it looked as if it was all over, Saina maintained her clam to bring the gap down to 15-16 before making it 17-17.
At 18-18, Saina upped the ante and reeled off three straight points to take the match to the decider.
Cakewalk The third and final game turned out to be a cakewalk for the Indian as she broke away from 7-7 to topple her rival.
The results (number denotes seeding): Singles: Third round: Men: 6-Wang Zhengming (Chn) bt Wei Nan (HKg) 21-15, 21-18; 14-Viktor Axelsen (Den) bt Nguyen Tien Minh (Vie) 21-16, 21-17; Eric Pang (Ned) bt Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk (Tha) 19-21, 21-18, 21-16.
Women: 1-Li Xuerui (Chn) bt 12-Han Li (Chn) 21-9, 21-17; 7-Saina Nehwal (Ind) bt 13-Sayaka Takahashi (Jpn) 14-21, 21-18, 21-12; 8-Tai Tzu-ying (Tpe) bt Michelle Li (Can) 21-16, 21-11; 5-Sung Ji-hyun (Kor) bt Lindaweni Fanetri (Ina) 21-10, 21-16.
