Chinese shuttler Bao sets up duel with Olympic champion Taufik
7/12/2006 16:45
Chinese shuttler Bao Chunlai booked a duel with Indonesian Olympic
champion Taufik Hidayat after winning over Singapore's Ronal Susilo in Doha
yesterday in the badminton men's singles second round at the Asian Games.
The
23-year-old Bao didn't win easily as he did in the first round this morning when
he defeated Mongolian Davaasuren Battur 21- 11, 21-4.
Although the
third-seeded Bao won the first set 21-15, he suffered a formidable counterattack
from Susilo who pulled one set back 21-15.
Susilo was still aggressive in the
third set but could not keep a concentrated Bao from winning 21-14.
"I was
well prepared. I knew it would be a tough game since my opponent is strong,"
said Bao.
On the same court, Indonesian top shuttler Taufik Hidayat went
through a severe challenge from South Korean Park Sung Hwan before winning
21-18, 19-21, 21-17.
"I feel very happy tonight, even though it was a very
difficult game," said 25-year-old Taufik.
Talking about the clash with Taufik
on Thursday, Bao said, " Tomorrow's match will be extremely tough."
Taufik
said, "I can feel pressure, but I'll do my best to get the gold medal."
Top
seed and world No. 1 Lin Dan from China also took a quarterfinal place, beating
Poompat Sapkulchananart from Thailand 21-14, 21-16. He will take on Ng Wei from
Hong Kong of China on Thursday.
Xinhua News
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