JAKARTA AFP: Badminton world champion Kento Momota crashed out of the Asian Games against Indonesia’s Anthony Ginting as the home favourite raised the roof at the Jakarta arena on Saturday.
Ginting, 21, beat the Japanese world number four 21-18, 21-18, afterwards collapsing on the court in disbelief before shaking hands with his shocked opponent.
“Thank God I could win today’s match and win against Momota,” the world number 12 told reporters.
“I was trying a new strategy with my coach and thankfully it worked. Nothing special, but was just more focused on today’s game,” said Ginting.
The win comes only two days after Ginting had to retire with severe cramps during Indonesia’s team final defeat to China. He said he will be fully fit to face China’s Chen Long in the quarter-finals.
South Korea’s Son Wan Ho, who is now the highest ranked men’s player after China’s Shi Yuqi bowed out on Friday, and Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen both advanced to the quarters.
Son beat Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia in straight games and Chou was a two-games-to-one winner against Thailand’s Kantaphon Wangcharoen.
In the women’s singles, India’s Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu had easy outings against their Indonesian opponents to subdue a raucous home crowd.