Looking back on the group play of the Olympic Games in Rio, not many surprises have occurred. But Irish Scott Evans and Ukrainian Maria Ulitina made remarkable results by beating seeded players, Marc Zwiebler (GER) seeded 12 and Saina Nehwal (IND) seeded 5.
Men’s singles
In the first half, the seeded players have expectedly lived up to their seeds. Spanish Pablo Abian almost caused trouble for Hu Yun (HKG) in Group D by getting 18 and 19 points in their match, but Hu maintained control in the end. Belgic Yuhan Tan and Israeli Misha Zilberman could do nothing to Chou Tien Chen (TPE) as he went on to be in the last 16 from Group C. Lin Dan (CHN) cruised through his four man-group in Group E, where Russian Vladimir Malkov was the only one getting close to a defeat by reaching 18 points in the first set against the Chinese star.
1st seed Lee Chong Wei will be facing either Chou Tien Chen [6] (TPE) or Hu Yun [10] (HKG) in the Quarter final, leading him into the expected semifinal against two-time Olympic gold-medalist Lin Dan [3] from China.
Group G was all-European and ended up with Danish Jan O Jorgensen on top. Leverdez (FRA) pushed him in their last set this evening, but Jan made sure he went through to the last 16 with two two set-wins. Henri Hurskainen (SWE) had a win and a loss in Group H, but Srikanth was too much for the Swede, and the Indian 9th seed proceeds from that group. He will be competing against Jorgensen (DEN) in who will get the pleasure of facing Lin Dan in the Quarterfinal.
Another man who kept it clean in two set-wins is Rajiv Ouseph(GBR) in Group I. Indonesian Tommy Sugiarto, from Group J, will be his opponent where his great tournament this far will be put to the test. If he makes it through, he can risk facing either Scott Evans (IRL) or Viktor Axelsen[4] (DEN) in the Quarterfinal. And speaking of players having a great tournament, those two have been giving their best so far; Evans, with two incredible three set-wins in Group K, beating 12th seed Marc Zwiebler 21/8, 19/21, 21/8 in a remarkable match. Axelsen, in Group L, which was foreseen to cause him ‘early trouble’, ended up being a great warm-up where the Olympic debutant showed that he is ready to fight for metal with the best.
Group M’s Ng Ka Long Angus [11] (HKG) will meet Son Wan Ho [8] (JPN) of Group N – the winner will face 2nd seed Chen Long (CHN) in the Quarterfinal.
Men’s singles Last 16: Aug 15, 2016
Men’s singles Quarterfinals: Aug 17, 2016
Women’s singles
There was not much to be done for the opponents of Group A when facing 1st seed Carolina Marin from Spain. Denmark’s Line Kjaersfeldt and Finland’s Nanna Vainio was defeated and she is facing either Sung Ji Hyun [7] (KOR) or Linda Zetchiri (BUL) in the Quarterfinal. In all-European Group D, Kirsty Gilmour [11] (GBR) was expected to make it through to the last 16, but a three set-loss to Zetchiri sends the Bulgarian on to face Sung.
3rd seed Li Xuerui of China is straight through to the quarters after finishing on top in Group E after three easy wins. Here she will face either Maria Ulitina (UKR) or the winner of Group H. Ulitina, from Group G, made the biggest surprise so far when she defeated 5th seed Saina Nehwal (IND) with 21/18, 21/19.
In the other half, the Asian seeded players dominate thereby justifying their seeding. Kristina Gavnholt (CZE) is close to shake things up when she forces Akane Yamaguchi [10] (JPN) in three sets, but loses 22/20, 12/21, 15/21. The Japanese faces 4th seed Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand next.
Furthermore, in the last 16, Bae Yeon Ju [13] (KOR) will meet Nozomi OKUHARA [6] (JPN); and Tai Tzu Ying [8] (TPE) faces P.V. Sindhu [8] (IND). The winner of those two, has 2nd seed Wang Yihan (CHN) waiting in the Quarterfinal.
Women’s singles Last 16: Aug 15, 2016
Women’s singles Quarterfinals: Aug 16, 2016