Yip Pui Yin Made a Breakthrough to Top 16 in Hong Kong Open Lin Dan, Lee Chong Wei Advanced to Second Round

YONEX-SUNRISE Hong Kong Open Badminton Championships 2015 main draw begins today (18 November). Lin Dan of China and Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia both advanced to the second round of Men’s Singles. Lin played a 3 game battle against Ihsan Maulana Mustofa of Indonesia. Hong Kong’s Yip Pui Yin has a huge breakthrough and got into second round of Women’s Singles for the first time after 4 years.

Although it was only the first day of main draw, lots of fans gathered to support their favorite players Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei. Lin had a good start by winning the first game 21:17. However, he was losing 5:11 in the second game and couldn’t stop Mustofa to snatch 6 points after they were in 15:15 tie. In the last game, Lin had a tough time at the beginning and finally took the match by winning 21:14.

Lin said he has given his best, ‘That’s life! Of course I would like to have a easy game but Mustofa was trying very hard too.’ He will face Ng Ka Long Angus of Hong Kong in the second round tomorrow. ‘Hong Kong players have improved rapidly. They have home game advantage. I will try my best to gain more point for the qualification of Rio Games. I am sure the local fans will also cheer for me.’ He said.

Ng passed the first round by beating Hsu Jen Hao of Chinese Taipei. He said, ‘it meant a lot to me to get to top 16 for the first time. It’s my pleasure to play against Lin Dan. I will keep my mind in peace for the game.’

The other highlight of tonight’s Men’s Singles is between China Open’s champion Lee Chong Wei and seed No.8 Tommy Surgiarto. Lee had a easy victory 21:16,21:15. He will face Marc Zwiebler tomorrow. Lee said, ‘The victory in China Open is already in the past. I just want to concentrate on the Hong Kong Open. The wind in Hong Kong Coliseum is strong and hard to manage. I will try my best.’ Lee took the gold in 2013 and missed the tournament last year. He would like to play until the end of the tournament and gain as many points as he can in remaining 6 months before the Olympic qualification scoring cutoff.

In Women’s Singles, Yip Pui Yin played against Jin Yi Tee as India’s World No. 2 player Saina Nehwal has withdrawn from the event. Yip took the first game by 21:14. In the second, she snatched a last-gasp won 21:19 and made it to top 16 of Hong Kong for the first time in 5 years.

Yip was thrilled after the match. She said, ‘The victory made me feel like I have unloaded my burden. I have to prepare myself for tomorrow’s match and set my mind back in peace.’ She admitted her mentality was the reason she lost. In today’s match, she keep reminding herself to stay calm. Hopefully she could keep the same way and has good performance tomorrow.

For Hong Kong Team, they were not doing so well in Men’s singles. Wei Nan and Hu Yun both failed in the first round. Wei was suffering from diarrhea before the match and lost to qualifying round player Gingting Anthony after 3 games 18:21, 21:17, and 19:21. Hu was beaten by Malaysian player Wei Feng Chong 17:21, 21:12, 15:21.

YONEX-SUNRISE Hong Kong Open Badminton Championships 2015 will start at 1pm on 19^th November of main draw events. The tournament will continue until 22^nd November at Hong Kong Coliseum. Tickets are on sale at URBTIX outlets and website. Enquiry hotline: 2333 1686(to 22^nd November).