World No.1 Lee Chong Wei set up a final showdown with Lin Dan after beating Du Pengyu in the semi-finals. - IZZRAFIQ ALIAS / The Star
THE super showdown between Malaysian Lee Chong Wei and China’s Lin Dan is on.
On Saturday, top seed Chong Wei came through a titanic battle against Du Pengyu of China with a 20-22, 21-12, 21-15 win in 71 minutes to set-up a mouth-watering clash with nemesis Lin Dan in the men’s singles final of the World Championships.
It will be Chong Wei’s 31st encounter against Lin Dan over the last decade and he will be hoping for only his 10th but most meaningful win.
Chong Wei is bidding for his first world crown while Lin Dan, who is making a comeback after winning the London Olympic gold last August, is gunning for his fifth crown.
Chong Wei had a hard time against Pengyu but he said that he had conserved enough energy for the epic battle against Lin Dan on Sunday.
“The opening game (against Pengyu) was crucial but I let it slip through my fingers. I tried to make up for my slow start but could not convert them into winners in my eagerness to win,” said Chong Wei.
In the opening game, Chong Wei was slow off the blocks and gave away points by making weak returns and poor judgments.
Halfway through the match, he stepped up gear but his chase came a little too late.
In the second game, a fired up Chong Wei bulldozed past a tired Pengyu.
It was a tight battle in the decider but Chong Wei displayed all his years of experience to romp home for a win.
“It looked as though Pengyu just wanted to push me to the limit. He went out for all the shots. I am tired now but I will be fresh for the final tomorrow,” said Chong Wei.
With a burning desire to become the nation’s first world champion, Chong Wei has vowed to show who is the boss in his seventh attempt in the World Championships.
“It is a match that everyone is waiting for. I have been dreaming about this moment for a long time. The time has arrived and I will fight for every point. This is my chance to win. It will be tough but I will be mentally prepared for it,” said Chong Wei, who lost to Lin Dan in his other final appearance at Wembley two years ago.
