Chong Wei out of Indonesian Open

Lee Chong Wei. -AFP filepic

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Lee Chong Wei’s hopes to win his seventh Indonesian Open title were dashed.

The All-England champion went down 10-21, 18-21 to 24-year-old H.S. Prannoy of India in a 40-minute second-round men's singles match at the Jakarta Convention Centre on Thursday.

It is the first time this year that Chong Wei, the world No. 3, has failed to clear the early rounds of an Open tournament.

It is also Chong Wei’s first defeat to the world No. 29 in three meetings.

National coach Hendrawan said the 34-year-old Chong Wei lacked the speed to counter an aggressive Prannoy.

“Credit must be given to Prannoy for putting up a good show. Chong Wei was slower than usual and that gave his opponent the room to take control of the game,” said Hendrawan.

“The Malaysian also had fewer chances to attack. We accept this defeat but we’ll remain positive ahead of Chong Wei’s preparation for the World Championships (in Glasgow from Aug 21-27).”

Chong Wei has won the Indonesian Open six times – the same as former Indonesian greats Ardy Wiranata and Taufik Hidayat.

He won it in 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2016 and is the only non-Indonesian to have won the title more than once.