Beijing: The new 2016-17 season of China Badminton Super League (CBSL) has officially started on December 6, 2016, and despite his extra marital affair scandal that rocked the badminton world last month, the two-time Olympic champion showed that he was still a formidable opponent on the badminton court by beating Tian Houwei 21-15, 22-20.
However, Lin Dan’s victory came too late as his team Guangzhou Heyuan already trailed their 0-3 against the Xiamen team prior to Lin Dan’s match.
Liu Cheng/Liu Xiaolong got Xiamen out to an early 1-0 lead on Tuesday as they beat Zhang Zhijun / Zhou Haodong of Guangzhou 21-14, 17-21, 22-20 in 57 minutes.
Although former World No. 1 women’s singles player Wang Yihan already retired from the China national team, she was still in good shape and gave a superb performance beating Li Yun 21-17, 21-17 to give Xiamen a 2-0 advantage. Heyuan team lost the crucial third point after Xin Zhongqian/Ou Dongni bowed out to Huang Dongping/ Li Yinhui of Xiamen 21-17, 18-21, 18-21 in 73 minutes.
In the last match, Shin Baek Cheol (Korea) / Wu Ying (China) swept past Huang Kaixiang / Li Yinhui 21-8, 19-21, 21-18 with the Heyuan team fell to a 2-3 defeat.
In other China badminton Super League tie, the Qingdao team that was spearheaded by Olympic champion Chen Long and Olympic mixed doubles silver medalists Chan Peng Soon/Goh Liu Ying comfortably battle past the Liaoning team 3-2. Chen Long won the men’s singles match with 21-11, 21-12 against Zhou Wenlong, while Chan/Goh lost their mixed doubles match to Wang Zekang/An Yu 21-14, 18-21, 18-21.
