Struggle for World champion

Published November 3, 2005

HONG KONG, Nov 2: World and Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat wasnt at his fiery best but was still too good for local hope Chan Yan-kit as he eased into the last 16 of the mens singles at the 250,000 dollar Hong Kong Open badminton championships Wednesday.

The 24-year-old Indonesian, needed to work hard before registering a 15-9, 15-10 second round win over the unheralded Hong Kong player.

Chan started the match brightly, leading 3-0 in the first game before Hidayat gradually took control of the match with his excellent all-round display.

The Indonesian even had time for showmanship, making several outrageous returns before winning the 40-minute encounter to earn a meeting with Malaysias Wong Choong-hann, who swept aside Thailands Poompat Sapkulchananart 15-2, 15-5.—AFP

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