NANJING, July 30 (Xinhua) -- Monday was a good day for the Chinese national badminton team, as all the home players overcame their opponents to register winning starts at the 2018 BWF World Championship in Nanjing.
World No. 8 Chen Long romped to a 21-13, 21-15 victory over Hsu Jen Hao of Chinese Taipei in 57 minutes in what was his tournament debut.
Both players were patient throughout the match, exchanging long shots from the backcourt. The first game saw the lead changing hands several times, but Chen played more steadily with fewer errors and claimed the win.
In the second game, although Hsu chased valiantly from 4-0 down, Chen won eight consecutive points after leading by merely one point at 8-7, and maintained his advantage to the end.
"I'm well-prepared and I'm eager to be on the court," Chen said afterwards. "Although eagerness doesn't necessarily bring a win, the dedication to preparing well is of the utmost importance."
The 2016 Olympic champion has been having a hard season, especially given his recent first-round eliminations in the Malaysia and Indonesia Open.
"I'm glad I took down the first match today, but I have to be better prepared for stronger rivals in the upcoming matches," Chen said.
Despite ups and downs, China's iconic Lin Dan still managed to defeat Mark Caljouw of the Netherlands 21-14, 21-14 in front of the steaming crowd.
"Although it seemed an easy win it was actually a tough struggle. It's good for me to play an opener like this," the 36-year-old said after the match.
Elsewhere in the men's singles draw, World No.3 Shi Yuqi bested Adam Mendrek of the Czech Republic 21-13, 21-11, earning himself a second round tie against England's Rajiv Ouseph.
With all the Chinese men's players in the top half of the draw, Shi will probably take on Lin Dan if they both defeat their second round opponents.
China's young rising star Huang Yuxiang overcame Cao Cuong Pham of Vietnam to book a duel with World No.1 Viktor Axelsen, who eased into the second round with straight-game win.
Meanwhile, Chen Xiaoxin triumphed over Denmark's Line Hojmark Kjaersfeldt 21-10, 17-21, 21-13 in the women's singles, Han Chengkai and Zhou Haodong beat Polish duo Milosz Bochat and Adam Cwalina 21-19, 21-11 in the men's doubles, and Huang Dongping and Li Wenmei nailed a close 21-14, 14-21, 21-14 win against Hsu Ya Ching and Wu Ti Jung of Chinese Taipei in the women's doubles.
Other big names to advance into the second round included No.7 seed Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei, and Hong Kong's No.10 seed Angus Ng Ka Long.
