Lin wins Asian opener with ease

China's Lin Dan plays a shot during his match against England at the Sudirman Cup World Team Badminton Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, June 12, 2007.(Xinhua/Reuters File Photo)

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BEIJING, April 17 -- World No. 1 Lin Dan of China crushed Indonesia's Andreas Adityawarman yesterday as he opened his campaign for the Asian Badminton Championship men's singles crown.

Lin took less than 25 minutes to beat Adityawarman 21-13, 21-13 in their first round match in the southern Malaysia city of Johor Baru.

The 24-year-old Lin, who will meet Nguyen Tien Minh of Vietnam in the second round, was barely stretched by the Indonesian junior.

The five-day tournament, which carries total prize money of US$125,000, is the final chance for Asian players to qualify for the Beijing Olympics in August.

No. 2 seed Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia strolled past Thailand's Tanongsak Saensoomboonsuk 21-13, 21-13 in his opening round match to set up a clash with China's Zhu Wellun.

"I have always enjoyed playing here and I know the crowd is always very supportive of me. I don't want to let them down either," said Lee, the home favorite.

China's Bao Chunlai, the third seed, also made it to the second round after defeating Jun Takemura of Japan 21-13, 21-16.

In a major upset, Chinese Taipei's Chieh Min-fang and Wen Hsin-cheng scored a 21-15, 21-10 win over the world's No. 2 ranked pair from China, Gao Ling and Zhang Bo, in the mixed doubles opening round.

(Source: Shanghai Daily)