SPORTS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2015

BADMINTON Is ‘burden of fame’ becoming too much for ?

HONG KONG: Chinese Now the 32-year-old veteran will After that match, Lin, who is the , the former world number legend Lin Dan has dominated bad- face questions about his Olympic title centre of attention wherever he plays, one who has never taken the world minton for over a decade but after defense in Rio de Janeiro next year as a hinted he was feeling the pressure of title or an Olympic gold-losing to Lin another early exit in Hong Kong, the host of challengers line up to take him continuously performing at the top of in the last two Olympic finals. Lee has five-time world champion hinted that down. Lin exited the Hong Kong Open the game. “The younger players don’t made a strong return to the bad- the “burden of fame” may be becom- in the second round on Thursday at have any burden of fame. They can minton circuit after an eight-month ing too much. Nicknamed “Super Dan” the hands of little-known hometown just play more free,” he said. Lin took doping this year, winning back-to- in 2004 by now-retired Danish star player Angus Ng-the third time in as five months off until May last year-his back titles in China and as he Peter Gade, the Chinese shuttler many months that he has fallen in the second long absence from the circuit hits form nine months out from Rio. remains the only singles player to first two rounds of a big tournament. since winning Olympic gold in 2012. Lin’s compatriot and current world have scooped all nine major titles and The former long-time world number But he dismissed retirement rumors as number one will also be has two Olympic golds to his name. one, who is now ranked third, also he returned to action, saying he is eyeing his first Olympic title as bad- Lin is firmly established as one of the made unexpectedly heavy work of his aiming for next year’s Olympics where minton begins its build-up to Brazil. true greats of the sport, but he has first round match in Hong Kong he will attempt to top the podium for “There is a battle between me and Lin had a choppy year taking just one against Ihsan Maulana Mustofa of the third consecutive time. Dan and . We always do Super Series title, in Japan in , taking over an hour to dis- Lin’s waning star would be good our best,” Chen said in Hong Kong this September. miss the qualifier 21-17, 15-21, 21-14. news for arch-rival Lee Chong Wei of week. — AFP

BADMINTON World champ Marin cruises into Hong Kong semi-final

HONG KONG: World champion Carolina Marin brushed off Thailand’s Porntip Buranaprasertsuk to book her place in the Hong Kong Open semi-finals yesterday. The Spanish player had her sights firmly set on her sixth big title of the year as she dismissed Porntip 21-12, 21-13 in 42 minutes. Marin has had a strong year, winning the world title in August and shooting up the rankings to num- ber one after starting the year ranked eighth. “I am very happy with my performance because last week I lost against Wang Shixian, it wasn’t a good game for me,” said Marin, referring to the Chinese world number six. “But I changed my (mindset) because I want to get the title here.” In the men’s competition, former world number one Lee Chong Wei will meet rival and top seed Chen Long of China lat- er in the quarter-finals. The meet is being billed as a grudge match after Lee beat Chen in Sunday’s China Open final. The Malaysian is on a win- ning streak after taking back-to- FLORIDA: Tennessee Titans cornerback Perrish Cox (29) stops Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Allen Robinson (15) after a back titles in China and France as reception during the second half of an NFL football game in Jacksonville, Fla on Thursday, Nov 19, 2015. — AP he made a strong return follow- ing an eight-month doping ban earlier this year. Overnight home- Jaguars edge Titans town hero Angus Ng, who downed Chinese legend Lin Dan in the second round, will meet WASHINGTON: The Jacksonville Jaguars Tennessee’s next play, Phillip Supernaw play, but on the last play of the game, Chou Tien-chen of Taiwan later scored 10 points in the last four minutes of fumbled after making a catch and Davon Jacksonville defensive end Andre Branch Friday to fight for his place in the a 19-13 NFL win over Tennessee on House recovered for the Jaguars at the 29- sacked Mariota. With the win the Jaguars semi-finals. Hong Kong’s Ng lost Thursday, making slight headway in the yard line. The Jaguars couldn’t move the improved to 4-6 — not out of the hunt in a to Chou in the quarter-finals of weak AFC South division. Rashad Greene’s ball and Myers added his fourth field goal division in which Indianapolis and Houston the last month-the 63-yard punt return for Jacksonville was fol- to complete the scoring. are both 4-5 and Tennessee bring up the first time he had reached the last lowed by a short touchdown pass from Tennessee had one last chance. rear at 2-8. The Titans and Jaguars will meet eight at a Super Series tourna- Blake Bortles to Julius Thomas and Jason Quarterback Marcus Mariota moved his again in a rematch in 17 days in Nashville. ment. — AFP Myers added the extra point to give the team from their own 20 yard line to the Indianapolis visit Atlanta on Sunday when Jaguars a 16-13 lead with 3:30 to play. On Jaguars’ 23 yard line with five second left to Houston host the New York Jets. — AFP