Guangzhou, Aug. 9: Badminton star Lin Dan of China beat teammate Chen long in close quarter-final 21-13, 22-20 to reach the top four men's singles Badminton World Championships Friday.
Perhaps the most decorated of all times, shuttler Lin returned to Badminton after a year on the sidelines. He fell to no. 286 in the recently published world rankings and entered the tournament with a wild card, reports Xinhua.
World No. 2 Chen, obviously in the best shape of his life at the moment. So perfectly were waiting for a meeting between the two Chinese shuttlers.
Defending champion Lin, who has not been stretched in the first three rounds, was greeted by a hard resistance from second-seeded Chen in the quarter.
Both players showed good defence and attack at the beginning of the opening set, but Lin scored seven points in a row to build an 18-10 lead and eventually took the first set 21-13.
In the second set, Chen made a quick adjustment and the score went dot to dot amid tumultuous cheers and applause from spectators in Tianhe gymnasium, from 6-all 20-ALL, before Chen return hit the net match 22-20.
"Chen and familiar with each other, but there is only one winner. You can't say Chen wasn't playing well just because he lost the match. I think we both hit form today, "said Lin.
Lin will meet the winner between Tien Minh Nguyen of Vietnam and Jan O Jorgensen of Denmark in the semifinals.
Chen said: "I am not so disappointed, losing the match, but if I could play better at the end of the second set, probably will go into the final match.
Lin has won every major title available for Asian and he believes that Chen will be the next leading men singles shuttler Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia in addition to himself.
"Chen is 24 years old, he could win great titles in the future path for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games."
Chen claimed the title Superseries world final last year and beat LEE in the final to win the all-England open. After the Olympic Games in London, he was hot.
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