BIRMINGHAM: Former world number one Wang Yihan made an intelligent and tenacious recovery to become the first Chinese player into the quarter-finals of the All-England championships on Thursday.
Wang had leads of 16-9 and 20-18 nullified in the first game against the surprising Minatsu Mitani, but then made difficult tactical adjustments to push through to a 21-23, 21-6, 21-16 win against the world number 17 from Japan.
Those lost leads, and in particular the failure to convert the two game points, might have thrown a lesser competitor emotionally, but Wang both adapted and was prepared to subvert her technical preference in order to succeed.
That is to use her height and power to take every opportunity to get the shuttle down fast, and threatening overhead attacks in a manner which intimidates opponents.
It was this principally which has carried her to an All-England title and to a world title, but now she chose a more workmanlike option.
"Tactically I kept more patient and played to the four corners and kept in the rally rather than take risks," Wang said. "And that was the key.
"I was very happy to get the lead and keep it this time," she added, referring to the third game. "It showed that I am able to adjust my performance and take it step by step."
It was the second day in succession that Wang had appeared to be in difficulties. On Wednesday in the first round she was taken the full distance by another Japanese player, Nozomi Okuhara, the 19-year-old former world junior champion and at 16 the youngest player ever to win the Japan Open.
On that occasion Wang had five successive match points from 20-15 in the final game, was denied on four of them, but found a way to prevail, amidst mounting excitement, on the fifth.
Now Wang played with increasing accuracy and good shot selection, using her overhead clears, pushes and net shots. When she went for winners she often played the shuttle half pace and shorter.
The transformation in the second game, in which she won 17 of the first 19 points, was dramatic, and in the third when the bold and creative Mitani reduced the seven-point lead to two, Wang kept her composure well.
She was helped by her liking for the tournament, which provided her with a major triumph when she won it at the age of 21.
"It's good to come back," she said. "The crowd always supports me here, the lighting has been improved, and this tournament is very special for me."
She was due to play the winner of Kim Hyo Min of Korea and Saina Nehwal, the world number three from India.
"Having had two tough matches will help," Wang reckoned. "I haven't competed for nearly two months and what's happened is really good for me."
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