Chinese Taipei shuttler Hsieh Yu-Hsing beat his rival in Beijing on Saturday, the first day of the badminton tournament at the Beijing Olympic Games, and enjoyed a home advantage he never thought of before.

Hsien beat Kaveh Mehrabi from Iran 21-16, 21-12 to enter the last 32 of the men's singles discipline.

"The game was not easy because we are at the same level," said Hsieh.

The 7,500-seat Beijing University of Technology Gymnasium was half full during Saturday afternoon's competition. The audience gave applause to both of the players, but they were apparent more enthusiastic about Hsieh.

"It is like playing in Taipei. I had never got so many cheers," Hsieh said, adding he had prayed and drew divination sticks at temple before the Games, which showed he could enter the semifinals.

"I am proud to play at the Olympics. I played very well in the first set, but not so well in the second for being too excited," said Mehrabi.

A total of 173 players in 50 teams are expected to play in the Olympic badminton tournament to compete for the five golds.

(Xinhua News Agency August 9, 2008)