Chen, Lee take revenges in second round of China Open

FUZHOU, China, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chen Long of China and Lee Chong Wei from Malaysia took revenge to defeat Anders Antonsen of Denmark and Brice Leverdez of France respectively in the second round of Tahoe China Open Badminton here on Thursday.

Rio Olympic champion Chen Long, the 6th seed, overcame Anders Antonsen of Denmark, 21-17, 21-13 to advance to the quarterfinals against his compatriot Shi Yuqi.

Antonsen, world No. 15, had won his first encounter against Chen, 15-21, 21-16, 21-16 in French Open last month. Chen made good preparation today with the most 8 straight points.

Chen told Xinhua that Antonsen played very patiently and aggressively in their first encounter in France but he stayed focus on the game and had stronger desire to the victory today.

"I'll meet Shi tomorrow in quarterfinal and good news is that China will secure one position in the semis," said Chen, "our strongest opponent is Victor Axelsen of Denmark. Everyone sees his progress these years. He was the world No. 5 in 2015 World Championships, No. 3 in Rio Olympics and now the No. 1."

Three-time Olympic silver medalist Lee Chong Wei powered Brice Leverdez of France, 21-6, 21-9, who edged the Malaysian star 21-19, 22-24, 21-17, in the first round of the World Championships in August.

The 35-year-old Lee told Xinhua his coach and he together studied video of the French on Wedensday when he knew he would face him again.

"Actually I don't think I'm on my best and I did not expect Leverdez lost that much," said Lee. "I did not think too much, but to nail the points."

Talking about the expected-but-vanished 40th clash of Lin Dan and Lee in the quarterfinal, Lee seems not surprised as Lin crashed out in the first round on Wedensday.

"It was normal that both Lin and I had suffered the earlier exits," said Lee. "People lose when they are in bad form. This is sport, isn't it? Young shuttlers want to defeat us to become dark horse. So the veterans like us need to keep hard training all the time."