CHENGDU, Southwest China, March 10 (Xinhuanet) -- A couple of ten-year long archrival Zhang Ning of China and Mia Audina Tjiptawan from the Netherlands both faced severe challenge from Chinese young shuttlers, but ended in opposite ways in the quarterfinals of women's singles here on Friday at the 2006 China Masters Badminton Championships.
Top seed Zhang was overturned by her teenage campatriot Wang Lin, who ousted seventh seed Yao Jie representing the Netherlands to take a berth in the last eight.
The 30-year-old "grand slam" winner lost her rhythm after winning the first set 21-18, being leveled by her nameless opponent 21-17. Trailing all the way during the final set, the current world number one missed the best chance to catch up when there were two consecutive controversial lineman judgements favoring her.
"Well, the two judgements did not affect me, as it is normal in international matches," said Wang, 17, starting her professional career only after 2000.
With two heavy smashes, Wang, born in a badminton family marched into the semifinal 21-19, exceeding her own expectation.
"I am so happy to win. This is my first time to play her, the elder sister of our team," said Wang, shining with joy on her sweating face.
Jiang Yanjiao, 22, almost stepped into the semifinal when winning the second set against Mia, former Indonesia genius, and leading 17-12 in the third.
"I was too eager to win, but I lost instead and suffered too many errors," said distressed Jiang, national champion of China, "I lost to her in our first clash in a similar style."
To Mia, newly coming back from rest, it was a big surprise. "To be honest, I did think of lose," said she, "it is the god's present. You know, it's not normal."
Third seed Wang Chen from Hong Kong, China, overwhelmed in an old-friend game, beating fifth seed Xu Huaiwen, representing Germany, while the second seed Xie Xingfang through to the semis as her opponent Lu Lan withdrew for injury.
In men's singles quarterfinals, the second seed Chen Hong of China and Denmark's veteran Kenneth Jonassen put up a potential Thomas Cup final clash with Jonassen winning 11-21, 21-10, 21-16. The Denish fifth seed will welcome China's rising star Chen Jin in the semis.
Denmark's best Peter Gade eliminated China's Chen Yu and lock another China-Denmark semi with top seed Lin Dan.
In the men's doubles, top seed Jens Eriksen/Martin Lundgaard Hansen from Denmark and second seed Cai Yun/Fu Haifeng of China both get through.
Gao Ling/Huang Sui, seeding second in women's doubles, and Zhang Jun/Gao Ling, top seed of mixed doubles both marched into the semifinals. Enditem
