Chinese superstar Lin Dan downplays quest for sixth world badminton title
Two-time Olympic gold medallist books a spot in the second round after thrashing American opponent in his opening match
Chinese superstar Lin Dan began his campaign for a sixth badminton world crown yesterday with a routine victory over American Sattawat Pongnairat in Jakarta.
The two-time Olympic gold medallist pummelled his unseeded opponent 21-8, 21-11 to book a spot in the second round, a vast improvement on last year when he failed to qualify for badminton's premier event.
The 31-year-old had shock exits from both the Taiwan and Indonesian Opens recently, and was not getting ahead of himself when asked if another world crown was on his agenda.
"The competition in this championship is getting increasingly fierce," he said.
"This championship is quite challenging because today we find a lot of powerful players who have good technique and stamina."
Lin is expected to cruise into the quarter-finals but faces an uphill battle from there, with possible clashes against second-seed Jan O. Jorgensen, ninth-seed Son Wan-ho or 14th-seed Hans-Kristian Vittinghus.