Lin Dan sweeps past Merrilees 21-15, 21-10

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China's Lin Dan opened his bid for the sixth world title with a comfortable victory over local player Kieran Merrilees at the World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland on Monday.

The man known as Super Dan, lived up to his nickname in the early stages, going on to win nine of the first ten points.

Ranked 66 in the world, Merrilees played well in the opener, but it wasn’t enough to stop the five-time world champ who eventually prevailed to take the first set, 21-15.

Lin Dan plays against Kieran Merrilees of Scotland at BWF Badminton World Championships 2017 in Glasgow, Scotland, Britain on Aug. 21, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

The 34-year-old Dan wrapped up the second game quickly and only needed 39 minutes in to beat the Scot in a 21-15, 21-10 victory.

Fourth seeded Shi Yuqi went up against Scott Evans. This match was a lot closer with Evans nearly taking the first game, when he led 21-20.

However, Shi made his comeback winning the last three points, sealing a 23-21 score to claim the opening game.

Shi Yuqi celebrates after scoring. /VCG Photo‍

In the second game, with the score tied at 20, the pair exchanged a few drop shots, before the Chinese forced his opponent to retreat and the Irishman then fired his return wide, putting Shi on the verge of victory.

The young Chinese player took control of the next point, and clinched victory when Evans could only find the net on match point. Shi claimed victory in straight games 23-21, 22-20.

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