Chong Wei makes positive debut in Petaling’s loss

Good combo: Lee Chong Wei with Zhao Yunlei (front) in action against Terry Hee Yong Kai-Tan Wei Han of Ampang Jaya BC in the SS Purple League at Cheras Badminton Stadium on Saturday.

PETALING JAYA: The presence of Lee Chong Wei failed to fire up Petaling Badminton Club in their final match of the SS Purple League.

Playing for the first time in the league, the world No. 1 men’s singles shuttler combined with five-time women’s doubles world champion Zhao Yunlei in the mixed doubles. They outclassed Terry Hee Yong Kai-Tan Wei Han of Ampang Jaya BC 11-6, 11-8, 11-4 in just 20 minutes at the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Stadium in Cheras on Saturday.

Although Petaling lost 12-5, it did not jeopardise their chances of playing in the six-team elimination showdown in Genting Highlands from Feb 9-12. They finished sixth in the 10-team league with 87 points.

It was Chong Wei’s first competitive match since he failed to clear the group stage at the World Superseries Finals in Dubai in December.

Said Chong Wei: “It was a good workout. It was fun playing with Yunlei and we combined really well. Maybe I should consider playing more mixed doubles (in the Purple League) in future.”

Chong Wei is no stranger to the mixed doubles, having partnered Vivian Hoo to win the 2012 Selangor Open and 2015 Perak Open.

Yunlei, the only shuttler to win two golds – women’s doubles and mixed doubles – in the same Olympics in London in 2012, shared the same sentiment.

“We were comfortable playing together. It was a great experience having a top men’s singles shuttler as a partner,” said Yunlei, who quit the China team after the Rio Olympics.