Fighting Chong Wei sets up showdown with Lin Dan
Latest News 9:34 AM
A STEELY Lee Chong Wei showed great hunger to come good in the
Asian Games when he became the first Malaysian in 30 years to reach the
men’s singles final at the Tianhe Gymnasium yesterday.
The top seed staged a remarkable comeback to beat world champion Chen Jin of China 14-21, 21-15, 21-7 in a 60-minute semi-final match.
Today, he will take on an even stronger Chinese opponent – and his nemesis – Lin Dan for the gold medal.
Three-time world champion Lin Dan showed his determination to nail the only major title that has eluded him by outclassing South Korea’s Park Sung-hwan, winning their semi-final clash 21-14, 21-10 to the delight of the home fans.
An equally pumped-up Chong Wei has vowed to end Malaysia’s long wait for an Asiad gold medal since Punch Gunalan’s feat at the 1970 Bangkok Games.
Only two players have come close to winning the title – Rashid Sidek and Chong Wei, who took bronze in 1990 (Beijing) and 2006 (Doha) respectively.
After his win over Chen Jin, Chong Wei looked to his coach Misbun Sidek and put his hand to his heart before blowing a kiss.
“This win came from my heart. There has been great pressure being the number one and losing in the team event earlier. But today, I made up for it by reaching the final,” he said.
“And this is not the end. I promise to give my best and will go out to win the title tomorrow.”
Chong Wei added that he was patient enough to turn the tables on Chen Jin after the first-game setback.
“I was very frustrated in the opening game. He had answers to all my attacking shots. I couldn’t do much,” he said.
Chong Wei upped the tempo in the second game and made all the right attacking moves, but Chen Jin remained solid in defence.
A patient Chong Wei did not give up and continue to pile on the pressure to eventually break the resolve of his opponent.
A more determined and confident Chong Wei pressed on in the rubber game and even the strong support for Chen Jin from the home crowd could not douse the fire in the Malaysian.
“I knew I had to stay patient to turn things around,” he said.
On his opponent in the final today, Chong Wei said: “Lin Dan is a very strong opponent playing in his own den. I will not be too worried about him. I will focus on playing to my best.”
Lin Dan wasn’t too bothered about who he will meet in the final.
“I am happy to play against him (Chong Wei) again. Anyone who is playing against him will have to give his best. To me, it’s the same and I will try to do my best. I do not think too much about tomorrow’s outcome.”
This year, Lin Dan thrashed Chong Wei in a Thomas Cup semi-final tie at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil but the Malaysian exacted revenge en route to winning the Japan Open title.
A thriller in Guangzhou is certainly on the cards.
The top seed staged a remarkable comeback to beat world champion Chen Jin of China 14-21, 21-15, 21-7 in a 60-minute semi-final match.
Today, he will take on an even stronger Chinese opponent – and his nemesis – Lin Dan for the gold medal.
Three-time world champion Lin Dan showed his determination to nail the only major title that has eluded him by outclassing South Korea’s Park Sung-hwan, winning their semi-final clash 21-14, 21-10 to the delight of the home fans.
An equally pumped-up Chong Wei has vowed to end Malaysia’s long wait for an Asiad gold medal since Punch Gunalan’s feat at the 1970 Bangkok Games.
Only two players have come close to winning the title – Rashid Sidek and Chong Wei, who took bronze in 1990 (Beijing) and 2006 (Doha) respectively.
After his win over Chen Jin, Chong Wei looked to his coach Misbun Sidek and put his hand to his heart before blowing a kiss.
“This win came from my heart. There has been great pressure being the number one and losing in the team event earlier. But today, I made up for it by reaching the final,” he said.
“And this is not the end. I promise to give my best and will go out to win the title tomorrow.”
Chong Wei added that he was patient enough to turn the tables on Chen Jin after the first-game setback.
“I was very frustrated in the opening game. He had answers to all my attacking shots. I couldn’t do much,” he said.
Chong Wei upped the tempo in the second game and made all the right attacking moves, but Chen Jin remained solid in defence.
A patient Chong Wei did not give up and continue to pile on the pressure to eventually break the resolve of his opponent.
A more determined and confident Chong Wei pressed on in the rubber game and even the strong support for Chen Jin from the home crowd could not douse the fire in the Malaysian.
“I knew I had to stay patient to turn things around,” he said.
On his opponent in the final today, Chong Wei said: “Lin Dan is a very strong opponent playing in his own den. I will not be too worried about him. I will focus on playing to my best.”
Lin Dan wasn’t too bothered about who he will meet in the final.
“I am happy to play against him (Chong Wei) again. Anyone who is playing against him will have to give his best. To me, it’s the same and I will try to do my best. I do not think too much about tomorrow’s outcome.”
This year, Lin Dan thrashed Chong Wei in a Thomas Cup semi-final tie at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil but the Malaysian exacted revenge en route to winning the Japan Open title.
A thriller in Guangzhou is certainly on the cards.
Posted by Lucas Liau
on 9:34 AM.
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