World number four Li Jia Wei turned out the only big name stumbling here
in Tuesday morning action, pulling from 1-3 down to overcome her Thai opponent
to reach the women's singles quarterfinals.
"I'm sorry to perform so badly. But I've been really tired," said Li.
The Olympic semifinalist, who lost to South Korea's Kim Kyung Ah two years
ago to miss out a bronze medal in Athens, denied an astonishing upset from the
unknown Anisara Muangsuk, winning 8-11,11-8, 9-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11-3, 11-6.
"To lose the match? No, that never came into my mind," said Li.
Trailing 1-3, Li opened the fifth set without a sign of her brilliance in
Athens, letting the lead change hands.
She was not relieved until the former Chinese tied the score 8-all and then
romped into an 11-8 victory.
"She's been too relaxed," said her coach Liu Guodong. "As a professional, Li
should have not made such a mistake.
"Also it's not the first time that she took a match not seriously enough.
"If Li had lost the match, she would regret for it and blame herself all the
time in the coming years."
