WORLD No. 1 men’s singles shuttler Lee Chong Wei is gaining in confidence by the day.
Yesterday, the top seed blew away Tommy Sugiarto of Indonesia 21-6, 21-9 in just 30 minutes to march into the semi-finals of the World Championships at the Tianhe Gymnasium.
On Saturday, he will take on China’s Du Pengyu as he continues his quest to become Malaysia’s first badminton world champion.
China's Du Pengyu will be Lee Chong Wei's opponent in the semi-finals. - IZZRAFIQ ALIAS / The Star
Pengyu toiled one hour and 15 minutes before prevailing 16-21, 22-20, 21-15 against India’s P. Kashyap, who blew the chance for a huge breaktrough when he collapsed after taking a 20-16 lead in the second game.
Chong Wei, as usual, is the only Malaysian left to keep the nation’s flag flying high after top men’s doubles pair Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong crashed out.
Pengyu toiled one hour and 15 minutes before prevailing 16-21, 22-20, 21-15 against India’s P. Kashyap, who blew the chance for a huge breaktrough when he collapsed after taking a 20-16 lead in the second game.
Chong Wei, as usual, is the only Malaysian left to keep the nation’s flag flying high after top men’s doubles pair Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong crashed out.
Chong Wei as expected is the last surviving Malaysian in the world meet.
Chong Wei, who will turn 30 in October, was in jovial mood after crushing former great Icuk’s son Tommy and breaking the Indonesian’s resolve right from the start.
“I played badly in the second round (against Dionysius Hayom Rumbaka of Indonesia). I did much better in the third round (against Wang Zhengming of China). But today, I was in top form,” said Chong Wei.
“This is the way I wanted to play from the start. My form is back.”
He began at a blistering pace – giving Tommy no room to launch any attacks. In the second game, he lost some accuracy but quickly rebounded to keep the pace at a high level throughout the match before bulldozing past the hapless Indonesian for the seventh time in his career.
“Tommy could not play his game ... I guess he was overawed by the occasion,” said Chong Wei, who added that he would take Pengyu seriously as the world No. 3 will have home ground advantage.
Chong Wei has only lost once to Pengyu in seven meetings – in the Group A tie of the BWF World Super Series in Taiwan last December.
“I wasn’t in good shape then. In fact, after that defeat, I withdrew from the competition. Then I defeated him at the Malaysian Open,” he said.
“With home support here, he’ll be more dangerous than Zhengming. Pengyu is a defensive player and has the potential to frustrate me. I’ll have to be mentally and physically prepared.”
If Chong Wei clears the hurdle, he is likely to meet China’s Lin Dan in the final.
Lin Dan, who beat compatriot Chen Long 21-13, 22-20 yesterday, will take on a superb fighter in Nguyen Tien Minh of Vietnam.
Nguyen achieved his career best by beating Jan O Jorgensen of Denmark 21-8, 17-21, 22-20 for a historic semi-final appearance.
Chong Wei, who will turn 30 in October, was in jovial mood after crushing former great Icuk’s son Tommy and breaking the Indonesian’s resolve right from the start.
“I played badly in the second round (against Dionysius Hayom Rumbaka of Indonesia). I did much better in the third round (against Wang Zhengming of China). But today, I was in top form,” said Chong Wei.
“This is the way I wanted to play from the start. My form is back.”
He began at a blistering pace – giving Tommy no room to launch any attacks. In the second game, he lost some accuracy but quickly rebounded to keep the pace at a high level throughout the match before bulldozing past the hapless Indonesian for the seventh time in his career.
“Tommy could not play his game ... I guess he was overawed by the occasion,” said Chong Wei, who added that he would take Pengyu seriously as the world No. 3 will have home ground advantage.
Chong Wei has only lost once to Pengyu in seven meetings – in the Group A tie of the BWF World Super Series in Taiwan last December.
“I wasn’t in good shape then. In fact, after that defeat, I withdrew from the competition. Then I defeated him at the Malaysian Open,” he said.
“With home support here, he’ll be more dangerous than Zhengming. Pengyu is a defensive player and has the potential to frustrate me. I’ll have to be mentally and physically prepared.”
If Chong Wei clears the hurdle, he is likely to meet China’s Lin Dan in the final.
Lin Dan, who beat compatriot Chen Long 21-13, 22-20 yesterday, will take on a superb fighter in Nguyen Tien Minh of Vietnam.
Nguyen achieved his career best by beating Jan O Jorgensen of Denmark 21-8, 17-21, 22-20 for a historic semi-final appearance.
Vietnam's Nguyen Tien Minh overcame Denmark's Jan O Jorgensen in a marathon 67 minutes match. - EPA
“I watched Lin Dan’s match and he gave a good fight. He is really determined. Hopefully, it’ll be another repeat final,” said Chong Wei.
At the last final in Wembley in 2011, Lin Dan spoiled Chong Wei’s hopes of a remarkable comeback to win the title for the fourth time – and seal his status as the greatest player of this era.
“I watched Lin Dan’s match and he gave a good fight. He is really determined. Hopefully, it’ll be another repeat final,” said Chong Wei.
At the last final in Wembley in 2011, Lin Dan spoiled Chong Wei’s hopes of a remarkable comeback to win the title for the fourth time – and seal his status as the greatest player of this era.
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