China's Shi and Lin to meet in round of 16 at BWF Worlds

NANJING - China's world No 3 Shi Yuqi outclassed England's Rajiv Ouseph 21-18, 21-9 in the second round of the 2018 BWF World Championships in Nanjing, earning himself a chance to take on compatriot Lin Dan for a place in the quarterfinals, after Lin claimed an easy win over India's Verma Sameer.

Shi was proactive from the very beginning of the match, starting with a 4-1 lead. But Ouseph proved a stern test for the no.3 seed with his sharp shots, chasing closely behind. The Englishman nearly drew level at 19-18 down, but gave away the first game with two subsequent errors.

Shi didn't give Ouseph many chances in the second game as he led from start to finish and concluded the match with a hammer from the backcourt.

"It was not an easy win for me," Shi said afterwards. "He gave me quite a few tough challenges."

Former world No 1 Lin Dan then stepped on the court to take on Verma Sameer to the cheers from the buzzing crowd.

The match was neck-and-neck at the beginning, until Lin surged ahead with a four-point winning streak from 6-5 down and managed to maintain his advantage. He earned three game points with a crosscourt backhand and converted the second as Sameer's return was called out.

Lin started the second game by racing into a 5-0 lead and it soon evolved into a one-sided affair. A 21-17, 21-14 victory ensured Lin of a place in the last 16, with Shi now lying in wait.

Shi Yuqi has won both his encounters with Lin Dan this year, in the round of 16 at the All England Open and the final of the Malaysia Open, and has a 4-1 overall head-to-head advantage. But the 22-year-old was humble when asked about the duel.

"It's unavoidable as we were drawn into the same quarter. I will take it as a challenge," Shi said.