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Chen Hong Reaches Semifinals at Badminton Worlds
Chen Hong Reaches Semifinals at Badminton Worlds
World number four Chen Hong of China beat Pulella Gopichand in straight sets to advance to the semifinals of the world badminton championships Friday in Seville.
Chen, who scored a decisive point in China's winning four successive Sudirman Cup mixed team champion last week, fought back from a 1-6 deficit in the first game to win 15-10, 15-10, avenging his defeat to the Indian in this year's All England championships final.
"I always hoped to play offensively at the beginning, only to find I had to follow his rhythm," Chen said. "After trailing 1-6, I calmed down and decided to play my own way."
The 28-year-old Gopichand, ranked sixth in the world, claimed his first big victory in the All England championships early this year. He surrendered his early lead in the first game and never looked able to launch an effective attack after that.
"The two players are both excellent before the net. But Chen Hong's attack was more powerful and active, which made the difference," Chen Hong's coach Zhong Bo said.
Chen will meet winner of the other quarterfinal tie between unseeded Agus Hariyanto and Denmark's world number two Peter Gade in the semifinal on Saturday.
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