Speedy ‘Super Dan’ too powerful for Hong Kong’s Vincent Wong at Glasgow Worlds
The five-time world champion’s quickness and court prowess prove too much for Hong Kong hope in the quarter-finals, but there's more good news for city’s mixed doubles team
Vincent Wong Wing-ki’s world badminton championships dreams were shattered in less than one hour as “Super Dan” turned on the power on Friday night in Glasgow.
Wong was hoping to reach the semi-finals of men’s singles after doing Hong Kong proud in the previous round in his upset victory of China’s world No 2 Shi Yuqi on Thursday.
But there was no victory lap or celebration jig this time from the 27-year-old Hong Kong-born player, who was swept aside by Lin Dan, the Chinese two-time Olympic and five-time world champion 21-17, 21-18 in 59 minutes.
However, there was a bright spot for Hong Kong after Reginald Lee Chun-hei and Chau Hoi-wah were guaranteed a medal at the Worlds after the pair won through to the semi-finals of mixed doubles. The Hong Kong duo continued their giant-killing run by defeating China’s No 2 seeds, Lu Kai and Huang Yaqiong, 21-13, 17-21, 21-15.
Hong Kong coach Tim He Yiming was disappointed 12th seed Wong was unable to match Lin Dan’s speed and court prowess at the Emirates Arena.
“To beat Lin Dan, you have to be speedy and if you don’t have his speed, then you can’t win because Lin Dan has vast experience in major competitions. Vincent couldn’t match his speed,” said He.