INCHEON: It doesn’t look good at all for world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei in his chase for his first Asiad gold medal.
On Monday, the 31-year-old failed to prop up the Malaysian side as he lost 17-21, 21-19, 11-21 to Chen Long in the first singles as Malaysia were whipped 3-0 by China in the men’s team semi-finals.
It was Chen Long’s second straight win over the Malaysian, having beaten him to win the World Championships in Copenhagen in August.
After Chong Wei’s defeat at the Gyeyang Gymnasium, the other Malaysians fell like dominoes.
Tan Boon Heong-Hoon Thien How were beaten 21-14, 15-21, 10-21 by Xu Chen-Zhang Nan in the first doubles and Chong Wei Feng was no match for two-time Olympic champion Lin Dan, losing 11-21, 12-21.
“I wasn’t aggressive enough against Chen Long,” admitted Chong Wei. “He was so cool throughout the game. He was very patient too.”
Asked about their expected showdown in the men’s singles final on Sept 29, Chong Wei said: “I will change my game against him. I need to be more aggressive and minimise my mistakes. Take nothing away from him today because he played very well.”
Now before Chong Wei gets to play Chen Long for the gold medal, he has another big hurdle to clear.
In the singles draw made on Monday, Chong Wei has two-time Olympic winner and defending champion Lin Dan, who is unseeded, in his half. In the last Asian Games in Guangzhou in 2010, Chong Wei made the final but lost to Lin Dan.
The last time the two met was in the World Championships final in Guangzhou last year. Lin Dan emerged as champion after Chong Wei retired with cramps.
As for Wei Feng, he is not expected to proceed beyond the second round here as he has to get past Chen Long, who is seeded second.
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