Lin Dan crashes out of Malaysian Open

KUALA LUMPUR: South Korean Park Sung-Hwan sent world champion and top seed Lin Dan of China crashing out of the Malaysian Open on Thursday.   

Unseeded Park won 21-14 21-17 in a surprisingly easy victory over the world number one to set up a quarter-final against Denmark's Kenneth Jonassen who beat India's Chetan Anand 21-12 21-14.   

It was Park' second victory over Lin in Malaysia, having triumphed at the 2004 tournament.   

"This was a much sweeter victory because he is now world number one," Park told reporters. "I'm an underdog but this win will boost my confidence for the next match."   

The Malaysian Open is the first of 12 Super Series tournaments organised by the Badminton World Federation with the aim of boosting the sport's profile.   

But already two of the main draw cards are out with Lin eliminating Asian Games gold medallist Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia in the opening round.   

Denmark's Pete Gade, whose participation was under threat last week because of illness, cruised into the quarter-finals with a 21-13 21-10 win over Singapore's Ronald Susilo.   

He now plays China's Chen Yu, who beat Malaysia's Yeoh Kay Bin 13-21 21-15 21-13.