KUALA LUMPUR: Chong Wei Feng will be out to make it an all-Malaysian final in the men’s singles event when he makes his maiden Commonwealth Games appearance in Glasgow later this month.
With Lee Chong Wei expected to ease through the field to secure a third straight gold, Wei Feng is eyeing a runner-up spot.
“Chong Wei is the world No. 1 and he is playing at a different level. My aim in Glasgow is to reach the final. I think it is a realistic target.
“It will be a dream final for Malaysia if Chong Wei and I make it to the final,” said Wei Feng, the world No. 17.
A semi-finalist at last year’s China Open, Wei Feng did not have a good start to this season but bounced back with an inspiring show in the Thomas Cup Finals in New Delhi in May.
Playing at No. 2, the 27-year-old won all his matches to help Malaysia reach the final. Unfortunately for Wei Feng, he lost to Japan’s Kento Momota in the 3-2 loss.
Wei Feng then resumed his Superseries campaign by reaching the last 16 in last month’s Japan Open and Indonesian Open.
”I am getting better and my confidence has also improved. I am making good progress,” said Wei Feng.
Wei Feng’s biggest threat in his bid for the silver in Glasgow comes from India’s world No. 20 P. Kashyap and world No. 29 K. Srikanth, European Championship silver medallist Rajiv Ouseph of England and world No. 39 Derek Wong of Singapore.
“Rajiv and Kashyap could make life difficult for me. It all depends on the draw but I think I have a 50-50 chance of making the final,” said the Kedah-born Wei Feng, who will leave with the national team for Glasgow on July 19.
Wei Feng has also been entered for the men’s doubles with Chan Peng Soon. Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong are the other Malaysian representatives.
But Wei Feng believes he has a better chance to do well in the singles than the doubles.
“I have not practised with Peng Soon as he just came back from the Australian Open. We see how it goes,” added Wei Feng.
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