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Li pulls out as Chen suffers shock
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Women’s world No. 1 Li Xuerui pulled out of the Japan Open yesterday with a sore knee and men’s No. 2 Chen Long suffered a shock defeat to cap a miserable day for China in Tokyo.
The withdrawal of Li, the top seed and London Olympic champion, from the eighth leg of the 12-round World Superseries was linked by her teammate to a jam-packed competition schedule for Chinese players.
Chen also said he was fatigued after his surprising loss to a low-ranked opponent.
Li’s nearest rival and second seed Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand, who beat the Chinese at the world championship final in August, also withdrew due to lower-back pain.
The back problem had also sidelined the 18-year-old Thai from the China Masters last week.
Chen, the All-England champion, went out 24-22, 21-16 to Kazuteru Kozai of Japan, ranked 287th in the world and with no major international success to his name.
“What I need is to rest first of all,” the 24-year-old Chen said.
“I have fought week after week. But it’s the same for the whole Chinese team. I am tired but it’s just normal.
“I wish the Badminton World Federation will arrange a less tight schedule.”
Chen, who lost to China’s superstar Lin Dan in the world championship quarterfinals last month, also fell in the last eight at the Chinese National Games.
Chen then pulled out of the China Masters.
The packed playing schedule has been a common concern for badminton stars, with Malaysian world number one Lee Chong Wei being advised to reduce his tournament appearances.
Reducing his playing schedule will help him to continue his career toward the 2016 Rio Olympics.
But top-seeded Lee, 30, who skipped the China Masters to focus on the Japan Open, breezed past Chinese Taipei’s Hsu Jen Hao 21-15, 21-9 in the final match of the first round.
Li, 22, suffered pain in her left knee before the first round started.
Her teammate Wang Zhengming said: “I think she probably had an old injury that was hurting again somewhat because of fatigue.”
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