Gopichand in quarter-finals

Pulella Gopichand set up a repeat of the All England final with China's Chen Hong after beating Taipei's Fung Permadi in the third round of the men's singles at the World championships in Seville, Spain, on Thursday.

The Indian ace, seeded sixth, won 15-10, 15-13 in a little under 60 minutes and will meet Hong in the quarter-finals.

Fourth seeded Hong got the better of 12th seed Ong Ewe Hock of Malaysia 15-14, 15-10 in another third round match.

Gopichand should have more convincingly, but he played the waiting game, preferring to tire out his opponent and then move in for the kill.

In the first game, after the Indian established a 2-0 lead, scores ran neck and neck as both players chose to toss and drop and not take any chances. However, once Gopichand shot ahead at 10, he displayed sheer class, not allowing Permadi a single point, as he proceded to take the game at 15-10 in 25 minutes.

A 4-0 lead put Gopichand high in the saddle in the second game. But Permadi clawed back to level the scores at 5. From then on service changed hands several times as the scores ran neck and neck. The Indian should have completed the formalities quickly after having a 12-6 cushion to rest on, but he suddenly lapsed in concentration and grew erratic to allow Permadi catch up at 13. However, two quick points after a service changeover gave Gopichand victory.

Giant-killer Agus Hariyanto of Hong Kong, who shocked Olympic champion Ji Xenpeng on Wednesday in the second round, also made it to the last eight, getting the better of seventh seed Marleve Mainaky of Indonesia 7-15, 15-7, 15-5 in 50 minutes. He will play No.2 Peter Gade of Denmark, who was forced to go to the distance against Seng Tsuan Lee of Malaysia befotre prevailing at 15-3, 7-15, 15-9.

Earlier report:
Gopichand into third round