Hong Kong duo Angus Ng Ka-long and Vincent Wong Wing-ki advance as Lin Dan avoids upset at badminton world championships
World number nine Ng beat Italy’s Rosario Maddaloni 21-10, 21-15 and Wong edges out Japan’s Kanta Tsuneyama 21-23, 21-15, 26-24 in the second round
China’s Lin Dan stepped up a gear just in time to avoid an upset against Emil Holst of Denmark in the second round of the badminton world championships on Wednesday, while Hong Kong’s Angus Ng Ka-long and Vincent Wong Wing-ki also progressed.
A day after his old rival Lee Chong Wei was beaten, Lin broke a 16-16 tie in the third game to prevail 19-21, 21-8, 21-16 in 81 minutes.
World number nine Ng, meanwhile, beat Italy’s Rosario Maddaloni 21-10, 21-15 and Wong edged out Japan’s Kanta Tsuneyama 21-23, 21-15, 26-24 in a mammoth 84 minute contest to progress to the third round.
Also through were two-time defending champion Chen Long of China, world number one Son Wan-ho of South Korea and in-form Indian Kidambi Srikanth.
Lin, the five-time world champion who lost to Holst in March, seemed content to rally and move the Dane around before bursting ahead at 16-16.
“He’s tall and powerful and he gave me a lot of trouble,” said Lin, who next faces Rajiv Ouseph of England.