Jonatan Christie’s men’s singles gold medal defence ended in the Round of 32 following a straight games defeat to Chou Tien Chen at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games.
Chou was in control start to finish, never once relinquishing his lead in the second game of the 47-minute 21-17 21-17 win. Christie attempted a late comeback by collecting five straight points to go from 11-17 to 16-17 but his Chinese Taipei rival held firm to advance.
The result comes as a sweet revenge for Chou, who lost the 2018 final to the Indonesian in three closely-fought games. Chou’s last 16 opponent is 21-year-old Sri Lankan Viren Nettasinghe.
Another big result at the Binjiang Gymnasium saw upcoming Malaysian Ng Tze Yong upset seventh seed and 2021 world champion Loh Kean Yew 21-12 21-14 in 45 minutes. This is Loh’s second loss at a multi-sport event to Ng after last year’s Commonwealth Games quarterfinal reverse.
New world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn meanwhile, playing his first match since his Copenhagen success, was given a scare by young Vietnamese Nguyen Hai Dang, who took the opener 21-17. Vitidsarn then upped his game to take the next two games 21-18 21-15.
Vitidsarn faces a tougher test in the next round against Lee Zii Jia, the 21-0 21-7 winner over Mourinho Zefi Costa Gusmao De Jesus of Timor Leste.
NOTEWORTHY
- Women’s singles fourth seed He Bing Jiao was pushed by Natsuki Nidaira but prevailed 21-17 17-21 21-14.
- Her compatriot Shi Yu Qi also needed three games to get past Lee Cheuk Yiu 21-16 18-21 21-12.
Nidaira gave He a good fight.
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