Gopichand scores second win

The Indian, who has never lost to the Chinese in five previous meetings, came back strongly after losing the first game to clinch the match in 43 minutes.

The victory puts Gopichand in contention for a semi-final berth from Group C.

Like on Wednesday, Gopichand started slowly, taking time to adjust to the air-condition draft. Though he raced ahead to 5-1 in quick time, a lapse in concentration saw the Chinese level scores and proceed to take the game.

In the second game though, Gopichand began strongly, and took the game in no time at 7-1. The Chinese had no answer to the Indian's all-round play.

Gopichand did face some resistance from Xinpeng in the third game but kept his cool to clinch it at 7-4.

The fourth game was a repeat of the second and the Indian quickly raced to victory.

Gopi will face world number six and the runner-up at the last edition of this event, Marleve Mainaky of Indonesia on Friday.

Mainaky also registered his second victory, defeating Richard Vaughan of Wales 7-0, 7-3, 3-7, 7-2.

In a Group B match, third seed Roslin Hashim of Malaysia registered his second victory, defeating Anders Boesen of Denmark 7-2, 7-1, 7-4 in straight games.

World champion Hendrawan also won his second straight match, defeating Yigang Luo of China 7-4, 4-7, 0-7, 7-4, 7-2. Hendrawan and Roslin will meet on Friday to decide the semi-finalist from the Group B.

In the Group D, second seed Chen Hong of China defeated Kenneth Jonassen of Denmark 7-5, 3-7, 7-5, 2-7, 7-3, to register his second win.

Ong Ewe Hock of Malaysia also scored his second win, defeating Vladislav Druzchenko of Ukraine 7-2, 7-0, 7-1 in just 16 minutes.

Chen Hong and Hock will meet on Friday to decide who goes through to the semi-finals from Group D.

In the Group A, top seed Peter Gade of Denmark defeated Choong Hann Wong of Malaysia 7-1, 4-7, 3-7, 8-7, 7-4 in a marathon match to register his first win. Gade had lost his first match to Santoso Budi of Indonesia on Wednesday.

In the second match of the Group A, gaint-killer Santoso Budi, who had defeated Gade in his first match, went down to Xuanze Xia of China 2-7, 1-7, 5-7.

Gade will meet Xuanze Xia on Friday to decide the winner of the Group A.

Match Report - Day 1:
Gopichand wins Grand Prix opener

Men's singles results - Day 2:

Groups	Match	Score	Time
Group A	Xuanze Xia (CHN) beat Santoso Budi (INA)	7-2, 7-1, 7-5	37 min
Group A	1-Peter Gade (DEN) beat Choong Hann Wong (MAS)	7-1, 4-7, 3-7, 8-7, 7-4	61 min
Group B	Hendrawan (INA) beat Yigang Luo (CHN)	7-4, 4-7, 0-7, 7-4, 7-2	39 min
Group B	3-Roslin M Hashim (MAS) beat Anders Boesen (DEN)	7-2, 7-1, 7-4	36 min
Group C	Marleve Mainaky (INA) beat Richard Vaughan (WAL)	7-0, 7-3, 3-7, 7-2	29 min
Group C	4-Pulella Gopichand (IND) beat Ji Xinpeng (CHN)	5-7, 7-1, 7-4, 7-1	43 min
Group D	Ong Ewe Hock (MAS) beat Vladislav Druzchenko (UKR)	7-2, 7-0, 7-1	16 min
Group D	2-Chen Hong (CHN) beat Kenneth Jonassen (DEN)	7-5, 3-7, 7-5, 2-7, 7-3	49 min