Top-seeded Sun Jun pulls out of China Open

JAKARTA (JP): Top seeded Sun Jun of China had to pull out of the men's singles event of the US$150,000 China Open in the Fengtai Sports Stadium in Beijing due to a serious waist injury.

World champion Sun has been suffering from a number of hampering injuries. He preferred to withdraw from the tournament to give him time to heal the injury in preparation for the Grand Prix Finals in Brunei Darussalam next month.

Sun's withdrawal gave a walk over win to Liu En Hong of China Taipei. Two other shuttlers, ninth seeded Ong Ewe Hock of Malaysia and 13th seeded Thomas Johansson of Sweden, also withdrew from the tournament.

Indonesian men's singles Budi Santoso, ranked seven in the world, had to bow out to Xia Xuanze 12-15, 12-15 in the third round.

Indonesia's men's singles coach Agus Dwi Santoso said Budi had a chance to beat Xia, the Dutch and German opens champion, but the Indonesian was worse in attacking.

"Budi is a rallying player while Xia is an offensive player. Budi was weak on his defense and netting and the Chinese newcomer was very good in stealing the chance to earn points. The most important thing is that Budi can still compete in the Grand Prix Finals," he said.

Budi reached the third round after overcoming Zhang Yi of China 8-15, 15-8, 15-5 on Tuesday. Earlier on Tuesday, third seeded Budi easily won against Ma Yuan Cheng of China 15-2, 15-6 in the first round.

Unfortunately, teammate Indra Wijaya failed to overcome 11th seeded Luo Yigang of China and had to bow out 5-15, 4-15. Earlier on Tuesday, Indra had a walk over win against Chen Ling of China.

Agus said Indra, world ranked 36, did not have a chance to try the court and the shuttlecock. "He also had poor form in his nettings."

Luo totally controlled the match and forced the 25-year-old Indonesian to make unforced errors.

"In the first game, Indra's serves were faulted twice which made him play uneasily," Agus said.

In the women's singles, Dai Yun of China beat teammate Xie Xingfang 11-3, 11-8 in the second round while second seeded Gong Ruina of China beat compatriot Rong Yi 11-5, 11-2. (yan)