体坛英语新闻：Lin Dan leads top seeds into quarterfinals in Hong Kong Badminton Open

HONG KONG, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- China's "grand slam" winner Lin Dan avoided becoming a dark horse victim for the second time in a month, cruised into the men's singles quarterfinals of the Hong Kong Badminton Open here on Thursday while most of the other leading seeds entered the last eights.

The 3rd seeded Lin prevented the host's Wong Wing Ki from repeating his surprise win last month in Denmark, beating the youngster with 21-16, 21-16 in their second match in a month.

Wong, 21, knocked out the 2nd seeded Lin in three sets to make the quarterfinals of the Denmark Super Series Premier in late October after beating South Korea's vetaran Lee Hyun Il in the first round.

"He played very well last time," said Lin, the 3rd seed in Hong Kong. "I did not do well in the first set in Denmark, so I was more cautious this time and told myself to play hard from the very beginning."

Wong said he had gave all he had on the court but the opponent was just too strong for him.

"I can feel that he was more concentrated and did not gave up a single point," said Wong. "He was faster and more flexible than our last meet, and I finally realize how powerful he is."

Lin's younger teammate Chen Long, 2nd seed, and Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei, the top seed, also won in straight sets while Denmark's fourth seeded Peter Gade defeat Japan's Kazushi Yamada at 21-13, 15-21, 21-11.

China's Wang Yihan, the top ranked women's single in the world, used an hour to win over Japan's Mitani Minatsu with 21-18, 20-22, 21-16 while her teammates Wang Shixian and Wang Xin, 2nd and 3rd seed of the Hong Kong Open, both eased into the quarterfinals in two sets.

Women's double's top seed Wang Xiaoli/Yu Yang booked a berth in last eight in 28 minutes despite a tough battle for the second set. After winning the opening set with 21-8, the newly crowned world champion were challenged by Malaysia's Chin Eei Hui and Wong Pei Tty in the second set. The Chinese duo could not build a solid lead until approaching the end, sealing the victory on 21-16 with a decisive performance after 17-15.

Yu said the wind was relatively big in the Hong Kong Coliseum, which was used for the first time in badminton competitions, therefore they were not surprised at the toughness of the second set in a head wind.

"We have prepared for more difficulties in later matches, maybe there will be some three sets to play," said Yu.

Wang and Yu had won five super series this season and had seldom played three sets against non-Chinese opponents.

Cai Yun/Fu Haifeng and Zhang Nan/Zhao Yunlei, the men's doubles and mixed doubles world champions in London this year and the top seeds here, both cruised into the quarterfinals in straight sets.