Double Olympic and five time world champion Lin Dan was stretched to the limit in one of the longest matches of the World Championships so far, taking 81 minutes to overcome Emil Holst . The 26-year-old Dane literally found himself in nosebleed territory in their second round tie, needing help to stem the flow, when 19-16 up in the opening game. He recovered to win it 21-19 and after the Chinese player ran away with the second, taking it 21-8, he battled bravely in the decider before going down 21-16.