GLASGOW, May 29: Olympic champion Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen (Denmark) had to call on all his experience to overcome the challenge of a young Malaysian, Wong Choon Han, in the second round of the World Badminton Championships, yesterday.

Wong, who won the Malaysian Junior Championship five years ago, at 15, made a whirlwind start and led 9-0.

Hoyer-Larsen, who has not won a tournament since fulfilling his ambition of winning gold at Atlanta, played with an uncertain touch. The Dane, who is seeded two, took the first four points of the set, but Wong came back at him and was only one point behind before Hoyer-Larsen broke through.

In the second game, Hoyer-Larsen managed to keep ahead right through , but the Malaysian was always in touch and remained a threat to the end.

Hoyer-Larsen said: ``Wong took me by surprise in more ways than one. I had played him in the All-India Championships not long ago and had no trouble beating him.

``But he looked to have improved since then. His tactics too were different. He served high in India. Now he kept serving short.''

It took Hoyer-Larsen 46 minutes to subdue the Malaysian youngster winning 18-16, 15-11. In the next round, he plays the tall Chinese Luo Yigang seeded 14.

Luo himself was stretched to three games by Portugal's Fernando Silva.

Also extended was Peter Gardsen 11, by young Hock Kin, another Aalaysian.

Meanwhile there are doubts about the ability of the top-seeded All-England men's singles champion Dong Jiong to continue his challenge for the World title.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.