Asian Games 2018 Day 2: Jonatan Christie blocks Shi’s Way

Unseed Jonathan Christie of Indonesia defeated the top seed Shi Yuqi with 21-19, 19-21, 21-17 in the opening round that lasted for 71 minutes on friday at the Asian Games 2018, in Indonesia.

The 20-year-old Indonesian posed great threat to Shi with his feet movement and precise smashing in the first game.

While, Olympic gold medalist Chen Long’s opening round was a easy-peasy play as he thrashed Muhammad Irfan Saeed Bhatti of Pakistan with 21-8, 21-10.

Japanese ace Kento Momota and the third seed Korean Son Wan Ho also moved on to the next round after defeating Bikash Shrestha and Ratnajit Tamang of Nepal with 21-9, 21-10 and 21-8, 21-11 respectively.

Meanwhile, sixth seed Indian Kidambi Srikanth suffered an excruciating loss 23-21, 21-19 loss against Wong Wing Ki Vincent of Hong-Kong.

To the Indians’ dismay, HS Prannoy too faltered in the opening round with 12-21 21-15 15-21 to Thailand's Kantaphon Wangcharoen in a 65-minute contest.

In mixed doubles, China's Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong were made to sweat, moving past Lee Yang and Hsu Yaching of Chinese Taipei 21-19, 21-16.

They were joined by teammates Wang Yilyu and Huang Dongping in quarter-finals, as the Chinese pair ousted Che Pui Ngai and Gong Xuexin of Macau, China 21-7, 21-8 in 19 minutes.

Women's doubles pair Chen Qingchen/Jia Yifan overcame Jongkolphan Kititharakul/Rawinda Prajongjai of Thailand 21-15, 21-17 to meet Ashwini Ponnappa and N Sikki Reddy in the Quarter-Finals on Saturday; the Indian pair defeated the higher ranked Malaysian duo Chow Mei Kuan and Lee Meng Yean in three sets with 21-17, 16-21, 21-19 in the second round.

While, World No. 1 pair Fukushima Yuki/Hirota Sayaka, along with their fellow Japanese Matsutomo Misaki and Takahashi Ayaka, advanced to women's doubles final eight in straight sets.

The scintillating matches to look out for in the next round are Japan’s favourite Nozomi Okuhara vs He Bingjiao and Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand vs Sung Ji Hyun of Korea. While, other star Women’s Singles players seems to have clear path till Quarters.