World No. 1 ready for challenge at Sudirman Cup

We’ll meet again: Lee Chong Wei (left) and Lin Dan could clash again in the quarter-finals of the Sudirman Cup in Gold Coast, Australia from May 21-28. — AFP

KUALA LUMPUR: Shuttler Lee Chong Wei is ready to bounce back following back-to-back defeats to nemesis Lin Dan.

World No. 1 Chong Wei was beaten by five-time world champion Lin Dan in the men’s singles final of the Malaysian Open and the semi-finals of the Asian Badminton Championships (ABC) in Wuhan last month.

Both Chong Wei and Lin Dan could yet clash again – possibly in the quarter-finals – at the Sudirman Cup in Gold Coast, Australia, from May 21-28.

Defending champions China, who are gunning for a record 11th title, have named a strong squad. Besides Lin Dan, they also have world champion Chen Long and world No. 5 Shi Yuqi for the men’s singles in their 19-member squad.

Chong Wei and Lin Dan have met twice in the world mixed team event with the score at 1-1. Chong Wei was the winner in 2007 while Lin Dan triumphed in 2009.

“I’m going out there to do my best and win a point for the team. Everyone, including me, is all fired up to try and win,” said Chong Wei.

“We’re on the final stretch of training now and we’re doing a lot to keep our team spirit strong. We want to go as a united team and put up a good showing together,” added Chong Wei.

Besides Chong Wei, the other men’s singles shuttler is world No. 36 Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin. The other members of the 16-member squad are Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong and Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi (men’s doubles); Goh Jin Wei and Soniia Cheah (women’s singles); Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei and Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Yean (women’s doubles) and Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing, Chan Peng Soon and Cheah Yee See (mixed doubles).

Malaysia, whose beat result was reaching the semi-finals in 2009, are in Group C with Japan and Germany while China have Thailand and Hong Kong for company in Group A.