Big guns Kunlavut, Yamaguchi, Li Shi Feng crash out of Super 750 event

In a major development world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn crashed out of the India Open after losing his round of 16 mens singles match to Hong Kongs Lee Cheuk Yiu on a day of upsets on ThursdayThe 22yearold defending champion who has struggled to cope with expectations following his world championship title win was edged out 2116 2022 2123 by Yiu in an hour and 22 minutesTwotime world champion Akane Yamaguchi and reigning All England champion Li Shi Feng too bit the dustWhile world No 4 Yamaguchi was sent packing by Thailands world no 18 Busanan Ongbamrungphan 1121 1921 unseeded Japanese Koki Watanabe outwitted third seeded Chinese Li Shi Feng 3224 1321 219 in a 71minute India Open clashAlso ReadA subdued exit The quiet decline of domestic cricketLater Lee Zii Jia of Malaysia beat fifth seed Jonatan Christie 2115 2113 in another second round matchIt was a narrow loss for Kunlavut who hasnt won any tournament since competing in CopenhagenToday it wasnt a good performance from me The last game there was pressure and I couldnt control things The opponent played well and I need to learn again from every tournament said world no 8 Kunlavut who had won the last edition hereI am getting better but I am not yet good enough I still feel the pressure in the game and sometimes Im not in control He was good in his attack and was fast I need to focus on myself without thinking about others Every player is fast and strong so I need to train hard and get more fitTalking about the upset win World No 18 Lee said I am happy and excited to beat him I have lost some tough matches and I always tried to get stronger and betterThe secret for me has always been to think about myself and not worry about others and play every point and just keep going Now every player has a chance to beat top players The Olympic is coming soon so that is the final targetThis win means a lot to me BusananBusanan had just one win in 11 meetings against Yamaguchi and said this victory will give her confidence in the Olympic yearI had a bad leg injury last season My body is getting better and today me and my team tried to do more about game plan which was about control the game and it was working she saidAlso ReadCloaked agendas Or pure rebellionThis year I am hoping to make a good start Its a wonderful memory for me here for me as I was a champion here It is hard to beat her she can get every shuttle but I kept telling myself that I can do it This win means a lot to me It will give me important points for Olympics Our 45 players are competing for the Olympic spot I just try to be the best version of myself only focus on myselfKoki Watanabe vs Li Shi FengWatanabe came into the match with a 13 deficit but dished out a superb performance to outwit the world number 3 ChineseI was playing well but I got tired in the second game but once I was back on the winning court I stepped up the pace and looked at placements as my opponent is a tall guy said Watanabe who started playing the sport at the age of 5 after being influenced by his elder sister who was also a shuttlerAmong others top seed An Se Young fourth seed Tai Tzu Ying sixth seed He Bing Jiao progressed to the next round in womens singles while sixth seed Shi Yuqi and Lee Zii Jia also entered the quarterfinalsWith agency inputs