Chou Tien-chen advances in U.S. Open, eyes quarterfinal spot

Taipei, June 26 (CNA) Taiwanese badminton player Chou Tien-chen (周天成) advanced to the next round of the BWF Super 300 U.S. Open on Wednesday after defeating Finland's Kalle Koljonen and will next compete for a place in the quarterfinals.

World No. 6 Chou, the top seed in the men's singles at this year's U.S. Open, defeated world No. 56 Kalle Koljonen in straight sets in their first-ever meeting on the second day of the tournament, which runs from June 24 to 29 in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

In a tightly contested first game, Chou overcame an early deficit, built a five-point lead, saved three game points, and eventually clinched the win 24-22.

In the second game, Chou trailed 8-10 before going on a six-point run to take control, maintaining his lead the rest of the way and closing out the match 21-15.

He is set to face Vietnam's world No. 73 Nguyen Hai Dang on Thursday for a spot in the quarterfinals.

Taiwan's Su Li-yang (蘇力揚), ranked world No. 36 and seeded fifth in the men's singles, defeated Israel's Misha Zilberman 21-11, 21-12 in the first round on Wednesday. He will next face Canada's Victor Lai on Thursday for a spot in the quarterfinals.

(By Shih Hsiu-chuan)

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