Lin Dan sails into top 16, Lee survives gutsy Indonesian

Lin Dan of China returns a shuttlecock during men's single match against Eric Pang of the Netherlands at the 2013 BWF World Championships in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Aug. 7, 2013. Lin Dan won 2-0. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

Olympic gold medalist and reigning champion Lin Dan of China blast past his opponent in the second round of badminton world championships on Wednesday, while top seed Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia met hard resistance from a youngster.

In Guangzhou, Lin returned in style after a year on the sidelines by winning the first round at ease, and he continued the momentum in the second round, beating world No. 29 Eric Pang 21-14, 21-17.

Lin, although dropped to No. 100 in the world rankings during his break and entered the tournament with a wild card, played confidently with the support of the audience at the Tianhe Arena. He unfolded his high-speed attack in style and used his court craft to move the shuttle to all four corners. Pang put out a fight against Lin, but still couldn't stop him.

In the third round, Lin will encounter a possible challenge from Malaysian Chong Wei Feng as the 15th seeded defeat Ukraine's Dmytro Zavadsky 21-6, 21-13.

Meanwhile, world No. 1 Lee was made to work hard by Indonesia's Dionysius Hayom Rumbaka before coming from behind to win 14-21, 21-18, 21-11.

Lee found himself in a tight corner in the opening set and was 1-4 behind in the second, the more experienced Lee pulled one back by taking the close second set 21-18. In the decider, he finally found back his rhythm to seal the victory.

"I watched Lee's match on Television,"said Lin. "During important events like Olympics and world championships, you may lose in the first two rounds if you think you should have won easily or you couldn't find your rhythm quickly."

Second seeded Chen Long of China outclassed Japan's Sha Sasaki 21-15, 21-12 and remains on course to meet Lin in the quarterfinals.

Chen claimed the title of world super series Finals last year and beat Lee in the final to win this year's All-England Open. After the London Olympic Games, the 24-year-old is obviously in the form of his life at the moment.

In the women's singles, China's three shuttlers all sailed into top 16. Top seed Li Xuerui was too good for Ukraine's Marija Ulitina, winning in straight games 21-9, 21-10. Second seeded Wang Yihan needed 30 minutes to see off Indonesian Belaetrix Manuputi 21-12, 21-8.

Seventh seeded Wang Shixian survived an early exit scare by beating Hsiao Ma Pai of Chinese Taipei 21-17, 21-23, 21-11 in 84 gruelling minutes. Third seeded Saina Nehwal of Indian and the fourth seed Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand also entered the third round.

Special coverage: BWF World Championships 2013