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Hong Kong Open
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Birthday girl Ling cruises into semis

Ling Wan-ting celebrated her 19th birthday yesterday by winning a place in the quarter-finals of the Hong Kong Open.

'I'm used to spending my birthday playing in the Open every year,' said Ling following her 6-11, 11-5, 11-7 second-round win over Kyoko Komuro at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium.

But the rising Hong Kong star, seeded third/fourth in the tournament, was given a scare in the third game when she had to fight back from 4-7 down to win.

Ling said she was unable to get into the match at the start.

'I was very nervous in the first game. I knew it would be a tough match today as Japanese girls are always difficult to play,' she said.

Ling celebrated her 18th birthday with a bronze medal in the same event last year and she hopes to do even better this time around.

She is only a match away from emulating last year's performance and standing in her way is China's Dong Fang, whom she meets today.

Ling has a 2-1 career record against Dong and hopes to take full advantage of that psychological edge.

'I considered myself the underdog every time I played against her as she is part of the Chinese team,' Ling said.

'Even so, I'm confident of beating her every time. My attitude is, 'Even I am going to lose, I'll give you a hard time'.' Ling beat Dong in the Hong Kong Junior Championships two years ago and at this year's Inter-City Games in Xi'an, while losing in last year's World Junior Championships.

National coach Chan Chi-choi said Ling had become stronger mentally and it showed in her match against Komuro.

'She proved today that she could hold her nerve when trailing. She made a great comeback to win the match,' Chan said.

'It was important that she kept the score close before changing ends in the third game. The playing conditions on the other side of the court were better because of the wind currents and she took full control after changing ends.' Hong Kong's top male player, Tam Kai-chuen, also cruised into the quarter-finals after he overcame Italy's Kiaus Raffeiner 15-10, 15-5.

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