Easy for Lin Dan

Four-time world champion Lin Dan made up for his absence from last year’s tournament to cruise into the third round of the SCG Thailand Open on Wednesday.

The Chinese superstar (right), skipped the Grand Prix Gold event 12 months ago and gave his fans a scare before securing back-to-back victories to move into the third round.

After a sluggish start against South Korean qualifier Ha Young Woong Ha, Lin Dan, who is aiming to win his second Olympic gold medal in London later this year, worked his magic and eventually won 19-21, 21-8, 21-15.

He was more clinical in the second round, taking out India’s K. Srikanth 21-11, 21-13 to set-up a meeting with 15^th seeded Thai Suppanyu Avihingsanon, who ousted Indonesia’s Dharma Alrie Guna 21-17, 21-16, and Malaysia’s Loh Wei Sheng 21-17, 21-11, in his opening two matches.

Super Dan is the only recognisable Chinese player in the draw with defending champion Chen Long and the rest of the victorious Thomas Cup champions getting ready for next week’s Indonesia Open.

In the women’s competition, top seed Saina Nehwal of India (left), will face a tough second round opponent in China’s Li Han after they both survived tough opening round matches.

Saina was taken to the limit by Thailand’s Nichaon Jindapon before winning 21-13, 16-21, 21-15, while Li Han edged Indonesia’s Desi Hera 21-18, 21-15.

Also through to the second round is second seed and three-time world junior champion Ratchanok Inthanon of Thailand who crushed Malaysia’s Lim Yin Fun 21-5, 21-14.

In the mixed doubles, top seeds Joachim Fischer Nielsen-Christinna Pedersen, whom many see as Europe’s best win for an Olympic gold in London, began their campaign by ousting South Korea’s Kim Ki Jung-Kim So Young 21-15, 22-20.

They will now meet qualifiers Lukhi Apri Nugroho-Annisa Saufika in the second round. The Indonesians defeated unseeded South Korean pair Kang Ji Wook-Lee So Hee 21-17, 21-15.    

Second seeds and home favourites Sudket Prapakamol-Saralee Thoungthongkam had to come back from a first game deficit before beating Indonesia’s Hafiz Faisal-Pia Zebadiah Bernadeth 14-21, 21-15, 21-16.