Indonesian Hidayat to meet Lin in London

Indonesia's Taufik Hidayat plays against Spain's Pablo Abian during their men's singles group play stage Group O badminton match during the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Wembley Arena July 31, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

LONDON - Indonesian genius Taufik Hidayat didn't wait too long before joining his old foes Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei in the Wembley Arena in the round of 16, after his another victory on Tuesday in badminton men's singles at the London Olympics.

Unlike Lin and Lee, the Athens Olympic champion has two rivals in his group, thus he had to go through two competitions so as to book an advancement ticket.

Rival of the 31-year-old veteran shuttler Tuesday morning was Pablo Abian from Spain.

The first game was an ordeal for both, in which the pair were tied from 4-4 to 20-20. It ended as Hidayat forced his rival to hit the shuttlecock across the side line 22-20.

He showed more sharpness in the second game, giving full play to his talent of handling net shots and controlling the tempo so as to score from mistakes of the opponent.

The 27-year-old Spanish player, who had been to the Beijing Olympics but failed to enter the round of 16, became inpatient. A shot blocked by the net also terminated his pursuit for further progress. With the scores registered as 21-11, Hidayat is to face China's defending Olympic champion Lin again in next competition.

On the fist set, the 11th seed said, "It is normal. I play too early in the morning when I am still sleepy."

Besides, as they were playing for the first time, "I don't know his style," Hidayat said.

He has met Lin for 15 times on the court, winning three times and never be able to beat the latter after 2006.

"The next match with Lin will be good," he said. "We will see. I don't know who is winning, but I will try my best."