World No 9 and Tokyo 2020 badminton eighth seed Angus Ng Ka-long made light work of Mexico’s Lino Munoz in his opening group game as he maintains his focus on reaching the Olympic quarter-finals. The Hong Kong shuttler has not played in six months – since the World Tour Finals in Bangkok in January – but he did not look rusty against the Mexican world No 69 at the Musashino Forest Plaza. “I was a bit nervous in the beginning,” the 27-year-old said. “I managed to pick up the feeling on court after the second half of the first set.” Ng won in straight sets in 33 minutes. He took the first 21-9 and the second 21-10, each in a little over 16 minutes. “I am feeling good and after this match I hope I will be better and better to fight for the last 16 place and even the quarter-final place,” he said. If he reaches the quarters then he is likely to face world No 1 and home favourite Kento Momota. The Hong Kong number one has not beaten Momota in six attempts. Earlier this month, Ng told the Post that the quarters were his objective but for now he is focused on getting out of the group. “I think I have a 50-50 chance,” he said of his probability of progress from the group stage. “I still have a match against Kevin Cordon, he’s also a strong opponent for me.” The absence of fans inside the arena may be a factor as he seeks to progress through to the later rounds, Ng admitted, a marked difference from his debut Games in Rio five years ago. Tokyo 2020: Hong Kong’s Angus Ng targets Olympic badminton quarter-finals then ‘we’ll see what happens’ “I think the stadium is too quiet for me. I love the passion from the fans,” Ng said. I have to accept this and just focus on my game. I’m still getting used to it. I think I can do it better.” Ng plays the Guatemalan world No 59 Cordon next, with the schedule yet to be decided.