Badminton: Wang starts with a fall and a fine win

Wang Yihans bid to win back the All-England womens singles title she won three years ago began with a worrying fall, a few words of doubt, and an impressively taken straight games win.The world number one from China overcame Pai Hsiao Ma, the world number 25 from Taiwan, by 21-11, 21-8, with brilliant attacking skills which gradually broke down the resistance of an able opponent.During Wangs winning ten-point sequence from 10-5 to 20-5 in the second game she moved the shuttle about with increasing control to all four corners, finishing most of the rallies with varied winners.The only moments of doubt about the outcome happened at 13-7 in the first game, when Wang fell while attempting to return a punched clear near the baseline, rolled over dramatically, and held her knee.For a split second it looked as though she might have sustained a damaging injury, but she got up immediately, and played on without obvious distress.Next she plays her compatriot Liu Xin, the world number nine, who had to work hard to wear down Michelle Li of Canada by 24-22, 19-21, 21-11.Later Baun also began satisfactorily, though showed signs of tension.The twice former champion from Denmark overcame Fu Mingtian, the world number 27 from Singapore, 21-15, 21-15, after trailing 10-13 in the second game.Fu defended very well and prevented Baun from attacking with her greatest fluency, although her determination to avoid disaster at the scene of her greatest triumphs was evident.Baun was also able to claim no ill effects from her troublesome hip on the hard floor, and covered the court without apparent difficulty.I didnt play perfectly today, she said. But hopefully tomorrow I shall be better. Its special for me to be here and of course I was nervous.On Thursday, Baun will face Ai Goto, the world number 22 from Japan, who progressed in straight games against Yao Jie, the China-born former European champion from The Netherlands. Another win should bring the rematch with Wang.Two other title contenders, Wang Shixian, the defending all-England champion from China, and Saina Nehwal, the fourth-seeded Commonwealth champion from India, also won, but in contrasting fashion.Nehwal made heavy weather of a 21-11, 13-21, 21-13 win over Sapsiree Taerattanachi, a Thai qualifier, and is perhaps overdue a good run at the All-England.I was quite nervous, Nehwal said. I didnt judge the shuttles well in the second game, but in the third I got my confidence back. It was a very difficult match.Wang Shixian won with unexpected ease, by 21-9, 21-15 against former world number ten from Taiwan, Cheng Shao Chieh, who had beaten the athletic, fast-moving woman from Suzhou in the past.This time though Shixian got on top from the start, often adopting a style rather more assertive than the one which helped her to the title last year.