Bangkok: Two-time Olympic champion Lin Dan of China survived a match point against Lee Cheuk Yiu to reach the quarterfinals of the Thailand Masters on Thursday.
After winning the first set 21-19, Lin was struggling in the second, and Lee of Hong Kong quickly claimed the second set 21-15
In an extremely tense decider, the score was tied for total of 11-times. At 19-19, Lin made an unforced error at the net allowing Lee to reach the match point.
The crowd erupted when Lin rallied to force a deuce at 20-20, and eventually end the unexpectedly competitive 72-minute battle against the 22-year-old Hong Kong player with 22-20 in the third-set.
Lin will face Malaysia’s Cheam June Wei in the last eight.
Cheam, was able to dig deep after losing the opening set to see off Pannawit Thongnuam of Thailand 14-21, 21-17, 21-16 in 53 minutes.
Meanwhile, Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia trailed Vincent Wong Wing Ki of Hong Kong by a set in the second round, but still managed to fight back and find a way to win with 11-21, 21-19, 21-15. Lee Zii Jia will take on Frenchman Brice Leverdez on Friday.
In women’s competition, defending champion Nitchaon Jindapol was upset by unseeded Indonesian Fitriani Fitriani in the second round, losing 10-21, 21-17, 16-21.
Fitriani will be meeting Singapore’s Yeo Jia Min next, who defeated Yvonne Li of Germany 21-6, 21-18.
Canada’s Michelle Li became the highest-seeded player remaining in the women’s singles draw after outlasting Japan’s Ayumi Mine 21-6, 13-21, 21-10 to book her spot in the last eight.
Malaysia’s men’s doubles pair Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong and mixed doubles pair Chan Peng Soon/Goh Liu Ying were able to defeat their respective opponents on Thursday to enter the quarterfinals.
“We will give our best tomorrow. We have never play against the Indonesian pair before, so I expect it to be a tough fight for us,” said Chan who will meet Alfian Eko Prasetya/Marsheilla Gischa Islami of Indonesia on Friday.
