Badminton: Hall loses the advantage

Darren Hall failed to make the most of twice taking the lead against the sixth-seeded Ong Ewe Hock of Malaysia in the second round of the World Championships in Glasgow yesterday.

England's former European champion led 13-11 in the first game and 4- 0 in the second, but could not impose himself upon Ong and lost 18-13, 15-7.

The Malaysian, without ever looking convincing, took seven points in a row to capture the first game, helped by Hall serving into the net and twice making errors at the net. Hall played well in patches in the second game but faded in the middle, although he made a late rally to delay the finish.

Although it was a creditable performance, it left the impression that, having only recently returned after an Achilles injury, his levels of concentration were not always match tight.

Hall's defeat leaves Scotland's Anne Gibson as the only British singles survivor.