TOKYO, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Olympic champion Chen Yufei of China defeated Malaysia's Soniia Cheah to advance to the women's singles third round at the World Badminton Championships here on Wednesday.
Chen, the fourth seed who received a first-round bye, was forced to play some difficult badminton in her first match three days into the tournament.
29-year-old Cheah fought back from 9-5 down in the first game to level the score at 10-10 and go up 15-13.
Chen managed to regain control with some audaciously angled shots, winning the first game 21-17 and the second 21-15 after 40 minutes.
"She played very aggressively in the first game," said 24-year-old Chen, who is bidding for her first world title. "We have met several times but I never had an easy match."
Chen has kept her record perfect in all six meetings between the two shuttlers.
The Chinese will now face tenth seed Pornpawee Chochuwong of Thailand, whom she beat in the second round of the Malaysian Masters early July.
Chochuwong, known by her Chinese name of Li Meimiao, advanced with a 18-21, 21-16, 21-10 win over Sim Yu-jin of South Korea. ■
