Badminton world championships: Hong Kong mixed doubles pair Tang and Tse crash out and turn attention to Asian Games
China prove too strong but semi-final finish raises hopes of a medal in Indonesia later this month
Hong Kong’s mixed doubles pair of Tang Chun-man and Tse Ying-suet were given a lesson by their China opponents as they crashed out of the badminton world championships at the semi-final stage on Saturday.
After a strong run to the last four, the third seeds lost 21-6, 21-10 in 30 minutes to second-seeded Wang Yilyu and Huang Dongping in Nanjing.
Coach Tim He Yiming said the mainlanders were simply too powerful for the Hong Kong pair, who turn their attention to winning a medal at this month’s Asian Games in Indonesia.
“They were too fast for us and we could not match them,” said Tim. “We need to improve and I hope they can make amends for this when they play at the Asian Games.”
Hong Kong had reached the semi-finals with a three-game victory over Malaysia’s Chang Peng-soon and Goh Liu Ying, the silver medallists from the Rio Olympics.
The fact that they reached the last four of the world championships raises hopes of a medal at the Asian Games but, while they are still favourites for a podium place, they need a major effort to claim gold.
