NANJING, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The fourth matchday of the 2018 BWF World Championships in Nanjing saw few surprises, as the great majority of higher-ranked players defeated their opponents in the round of 16.
Two notable exceptions were 5th seed Kidambi Srikanth of India, who lost 21-18, 21-18 to Malaysia's unseeded Daren Liew, and no.4 seed Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand, who suffered a 12-16, 12-19 defeat against India's world no. 10 Saina Nehwal.
Japanese poster boy Kento Momota also came close to being eliminated at the hands of Denmark's Anders Antonsen, but eventually prevailed to seal his place in the quarterfinals.
Momota had a tough start, finding himself 8-1 down in the first game. Although he tried hard to close the gap and saved two game points, the Dane refused to let his big advantage disappear and grabbed the first game 21-13.
Momota rounded into form and bettered his opponent in the second game despite Antonsen's repeated attacks on the right side of the left-hander.
The no.6 seed could not sustain his momentum in the deciding game, shaking his head when 3-0 down. However, thanks to his crosscourt smashes, he was able to nail seven consecutive points and eventually saw out a 21-9 win to clinch the match.
Top seed Viktor Axelsen also went through a stern test today to edge out Angus Ng Ka Long of Hong Kong, China, 21-19, 21-18.
"I was really happy to win it. I struggled a little bit and that's why I showed some emotions out there today," Axelsen replied when asked why he clenched his fist after converting the match point.
The match that attracted most attention today was the clash between two top Chinese players, world no.3 Shi Yuqi and no. 9 Lin Dan, in which rising star Shi registered a convincing 21-15, 21-9 win in 45 minutes.
"I have played at my highest level today and that's my way of paying my respect to Lin Dan," the 22-year-old said afterwards.
In the women's singles, world no.1 Tai Tsu Ying of Chinese Taipei booked the first seat in the quarterfinals as she bested the United States' Zhang Beiwen 21-19, 21-14 early in the morning.
The score seesawed in the first game, with Tai showcasing her powerful attacks while Zhang returned the shuttle with superb saves. After Zhang tied the scores at 15-15, Tai succeeded in two challenges and this greatly boosted her confidence to finally set up a close win.
Tai at one stage enjoyed a 7-point lead in the second game, but Zhang doggedly narrowed the score to 11-10. However, the reigning world champion demonstrated better control over the shuttle and concluded the match in 34 minutes.
Tai will take on China's He Bingjiao in the quarterfinals.
The Chinese player romped to a 21-14, 21-11 win over Vietnam's Thuy Linh Nguyen in half an hour with a spectacular 9-point winning streak at the end of the match. The no. 6 seed will be seeking a first win against Tai on home soil in her seventh attempt this year.
In an all-Chinese match-up, Chen Yufei claimed a 21-11, 18-21, 21-12 victory over compatriot Chen Xiaoxin. The world no.5 dominated the first game from start to finish but made several errors in the second. Young talent Chen Xiaoxin seized the opportunity to drag the match into the decider, but Chen Yufei made quick adjustments and finally nailed the win.
Chen Xiaoxin and Japan's world no.2 Akane Yamaguchi will face off in the quarterfinals, as the latter stormed to an easy 21-12, 21-12 victory over Thailand's 11th-seeded Nitchaon Jindapol.
Elsewhere, Indonesia's reigning world champion Marcus Fernaldi Gideon and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo pulled through on Sukamuljo's birthday in the men's doubles. China's top seed Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan bested compatriots Du Yue and Li Yinhui, becoming the only Chinese duo to survive the round of 16 in the women's doubles. Meanwhile, China's world no.1 pair Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong advanced into the quarterfinals of the mixed doubles.
