YONEX-SUNRISE HONG KONG OPEN 2009 - Chong Wei on track to cement No 1 position
News 9:43 AM
Lee Chong Wei saved five match points against an in form Hafiz Hashim to enter the semi-final of the YONEX
Hafiz Hashim will probably be playing this match over and over in his head. And regretting every single one of his five opportunities to claim a semi-final spot in a Super Series event – something he hasn’t done for a very long time.
But 2010 could be a renewal year for the Malaysian, who played some of his best badminton and really troubled his friend and compatriot Lee Chong Wei.
The first game was just a one sided story, Hafiz taking both the chances and being in charge of the rallies. Chong Wei was just not in the match, but didn’t blame the drift that had affected his game earlier. 
“I was just not into the match in the first – I was passive and focusing on my defense as he was attacking. He played so well in the first game I had trouble to cope with the pace,” said Chong Wei. Hafiz won 21/10 but it was a different story in the second, where the top seed shifted into high gear. This time, Chong Wei took it 21/15 and an incredible battle was to happen in the third.
Hafiz, looking slow and easy going as always, kept the rallies going, with some magic wrist shots, using his defense as a great counter attack. Chong Wei, faster and using his good vision of the game was balancing the rallies but it was Hafiz who struck first.
After both shuttlers reached 13, the tall Malaysian scored five points in a row, attacking the shuttle early, while the fans were obviously rooting for Chong Wei. The “ohhs” and the “ahhs” and most clapping were in favour of the top seed while Hafiz was trying to keep focus.
At 20/16, he had four match points to beat Chong Wei for the first time in over two years. Chong Wei saved two by smashing down the line. The third saw Hafiz let a shuttle land out before he figured it was in. He then made a last minute stroke which landed in the net. Last, but not least, a long rally ended in a kill at the net by Hafiz which didn’t make it to the other side. It was back to square one at 20/20 but none of the players showed any signs of excitement – nor frustration.
Hafiz had one more chance to nail it when he hit a huge smash to lead 21/20 but once again, his opponent managed to get back and score the remaining two points for a final 10/21 – 21/15 – 24/22 victory.
The last point saw an attack from Hafiz called in from the line judge, while it was obviously out, but the umpire over ruled and it was over. Hafiz, in his usual fair play spirit didn’t argue and hugged his friend over the net before Chong Wei went to see the line judge and sat side by side with her trying to look at where the shuttle had landed – making the crowd laugh.
If he was not happy about line calls, he was however all praise for his opponent. 
“I was very surprised as Hafiz played really well today. His tactic was good from the start while I had to adjust mine, but even in the last game, he played better than usual. Last time he had beaten me was in
“I just figured that I should try to enjoy every point and I was finally back in the game. The fans clearly helped me get back, and also, he may have been tired mentally as he also had to play crucial points yesterday during his match.”
If Chong Wei was very close to losing to his compatriot, he sees it as a good chance for his country, that Hafiz is back in the loop. “It’s good for me to have a second men’s singles to back me up. Not only for sparring and take some pressure off my back, but also for
Chong Wei will now face Bao Chunlai, who beat
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The two friends from
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