Yet more seeds fall as Kenichi Tago [7, Japan], Chan Peng Soon / Goh Liu Ying [3, Malaysia] and Eom Hye Won / Jang Ye Na [4, Korea] all leave to impressive performances from the underdogs.
By Michael Burke, Badzine Correspondent, live from Birmingham. Photos: Yohan Nonotte for Badmintonphoto (live).
In a tournament that has not been kind to its seeds, the round of 16 was no less vicious than the first day of the main draw as yet more seeded players went out. Seventh seeded Kenichi Tago was one of the last to fall on day 2 to Kashyap Parupalli (pictured right) of India.
The first game was marked by a very attacking style from the outset by Parupalli who, despite the score-line in the first game, completely outplayed his Japanese opponent. The second game was even less close as Parupalli maintained his early lead to finish a game that Tago never really got into, 21-18 21-12.
After the game Parupalli spoke of his success: “I won because I attacked better than him. Tago is good, but the shuttles were a little on the faster side so that suited me well.”
After a good run to the quarterfinals in the London Olympics, only stopped by eventual finalist Lee Chong Wei, he spoke of the country, saying: “I’m doing well here, this place [England] is very lucky for me.”
Having put out a seed of his own, the Indian was however was coy about his chances with respect to other seeds crashing out of the draw.
“I’m not sure whether my chances are better, but unfortunately my seed [Parupalli faces number 2 seed Chen Long next] hasn’t crashed out yet, hopefully I will win and that will change.”
Earlier in the day mixed seeds Chan Peng Soon / Goh Liu Ying of Malaysia joined the ever growing list of seeds to have left already at this years Yonex All England. In a game littered with errors, Indonesians Fran Kurniawan and Shendy Puspa Irawati (pictured above) played that much better to take the first game 21-15.
Recovering from a slow start, Chan/Goh were much improved from 8-8 in the second game, the Indonesians having to chase. In the end, however, errors again decided the match as net as the Indionesians held their composure to take the game in straight sets, the second game 21-18.
Malaysia had it’s own chance to upset another seed in the women’s doubles, as Vivian Hoo and Woon Khe Wei (pictured right) beat fourth seeds from Korea, Eom Hye Won and Jang Ye Na.
The match went to three games as Hoo / Woon, who seemed surprised at having won the first game, lost their focus to allow the Koreans to level. Regaining composure however, they found their form and smashed through a tired Eom / Jang to progress, the final score 21-13 17-21 21-17.
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