SHUTTLERS Liew Daren and Chong Wei Feng are hoping to join world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei in the quarter-finals of the World Championships.
But it will be really difficult for them as they will be facing China’s top players – Chen Long and Lin Dan respectively – in the third round on Thursday.
On Wednesday, Daren ended the gallant run of Singapore’s Derek Wong Zi Liang with a clinical 21-13, 21-13 win while Wei Feng was hardly troubled in his 21-6, 21-13 victory over Dmytro Zavadsky of Ukraine in the second round.
A day earlier, Derek had blown away Indonesia’s Sony Dwi Kuncoro.
The unseeded Daren, who put up a much better performance compared to his sloppy display in the opening round, said he would go for broke against Chen Long.
“Chen Long is the favourite and will have the home support. I’ve never beaten him but, hopefully, this time I can do something special,” he said.
Daren has lost to Chen Long three times although, in their last meeting at the Super Series Finals, the Malaysian managed to steal a game before going down 25-23, 8-21, 12-21.
“Chong Wei will take on Wang Zhengming of China next and should win.
“Wei Feng and I have stronger Chinese opponents ... so, it will be great if one of us can join Chong Wei,” he said.
Wei Feng, who did well to give Lin Dan a good fight at last year’s All-England, hopes to give another good show.
“I had an easy win today because my opponent found it difficult to handle the strong wind in the stadium.
“I have a tough opponent and there’s nothing much I can say. It will be tough,” said Wei Feng.
Yesterday, Chen Long and four-time world champion Lin Dan were in ruthless form as they blew away Sho Sasaki of Japan 21-15, 21-12 and Eric Pang of Holland 21-14, 21-17 in convincing fashion respectively.
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