Badminton World Championships: China stars Feng/Huang knocked out in stunning upset
Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping dumped out of Badminton World Championships in second round
China’s world No 1 mixed-doubles pair Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping were dumped out of the Badminton World Championships in the second round in Paris on Wednesday, becoming the highest-seeded casualties of the tournament so far.
After receiving a first-round bye, the Chinese duo - nicknamed “Phoenix” - opened their campaign against Denmark’s Mathias Christiansen and Alexandra Boje, once ranked as high as eighth in the world.
But there was no rising to be done in the French capital, with Feng and Huang brushed aside 14-21, 21-13, 21-18.
“The opponents adapted their tactics better in the second and third games. Our adjustments weren’t timely, and we ended up playing at their pace,” Feng said.
China’s Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin endured a three-game battle but eventually overcame England’s Callum Hemming and Estelle Van Leeuwen 2-1 (18-21, 21-13, 21-15).
In the men’s singles, Shi Yuqi and Weng Hongyang both posted straight-game victories to progress, while Lu Guangzu fell 2-1 to Canadian youngster Victor Lai, exiting in the third round.