体坛英语新闻：Another big shots out, coach says worlds lose meaning

KUALA LUMPUR - An unusual day for the world badminton championships as Malaysia's golden hopeful Lee Chong Wei and world number two women's singles player Xie Xingfang were both shown the exit here on Thursday.

Other big names including Taufik Hidayat,Jens Eriksen/Martin Lundgaard Hansen and Anthony Clark/Robert Blair all suffered stunning knockout on this unusual day. "The world badminton championships has lost its meaning for China," China's head coach Li Yongbo said.

Second seed Lee Chong Wei lost to Sony Dwi Kuncoro of Indonesia 21-11, 21-9.

Malaysia's world number two Lee Chong Wei reacts after losing the third round men's singles game to Sony Dwi Kuncoro of Indonesia at the World Badminton Championships in Kuala Lumpur August 16, 2007. The home court favorite lost the game 21-11, 21-9. [Xinhua]

Lee's exit made Malaysia's 30-year wait for world champs title almost in vain.

"My coach has put a lot of pressure on me. I tried to release my tension but failed," said Lee. "After Taufik was eliminated, I do not want to be the second Taufik."

"However, Sony played very well. Even I tried to change my tactics, I could not make it. I converted so many errors like smashing long. I never expected him to be so tough," he said.

Lee felt pitiful, said sorry to home fans, but vowed to stage a comeback.

Now Malaysians' hope might merely be placed on Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong, who play against Michal Logosz/Robert Mateusiak of Poland in the third round of men's doubles.

However, Wong Mew Choo brought home fans a surprise as she beat Xie Xingfang, second seed and two-time defending champion of China, in a 28-minute match in women's singles.

China's world number two Xie Xingfang (Right) reacts as her coach instructs her during the third round women's singles game against Wong Mew Choo of Malaysia at the World Badminton Championships in Kuala Lumpur August 16, 2007. Xie was sensationally beaten by the Malaysia's world number 11 by two consecutive sets of 21-10, 21-8. [Xinhua]

Xie converted quite a few unforced errors and won 18 rallies against Wong Mew Choo's 42, losing at 21-10, 21-8.

China's head coach Li Yongbo regarded Xie's exit a big regret, saying that they had expected the match to be a tough one as Wong had good footwork but had never expected a loss.

"We still had poor preparations," said Li. "Xie's loss shows she is down in overall strength."

Another reason, as Li mentioned, was the 21-point system, which made players have to focus more on the match.

"No lapse is allowed," he added.

In earlier matches, big names like China's Chen Jin, world number four, bowed to Ronald Susilo of Singapore and Athens Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat lost to Indian Anup Sridhar on Wednesday.

"It's not good that Taufik and Chong Wei were ousted because I hope China can win the titles against top shuttlers. More tough, more meaningful to China," Li said.

"Why do we pay so much attention to the world championships? Because all the top players compete here. Only they are there and play against us, it's useful for our preparation for the Beijing Olympic Games," he added.

When comparing world championships with Olympics, Li said,"Of course Olympics is more important, I prefer to win one Olympic gold rather than five world titles."

Li tipped big names' exits as abnormal. "They don't take the championships so seriously and they are not well prepared."

Jens Eriksen/Martin Lundgaard Hansen of Denmark and Anthony Clark/Robert Blair of England, top men's doubles pairs, also crashed out.