Unheralded Cordon beats Chen Long while Chong Wei makes it to the second round
Top News 9:57 AM
WORLD No. 1 men singles shuttler Lee Chong Wei accomplished his job of reaching the second round of the World Championships at the Wembley Arena yesterday but not in an impressive way.
And it turned out to be even more worst for fifth seeded Chen Long of China when he was unceremoniously dumped by an unheralded Kevin Cordon of Guatemala.
The lanky Chen Long tried to save two match points but eventually, walked off with his head hung low after losing 19-21, 21-8, 25-27 in a 74-minute encounter against Cordon.
Doing it his way: Lee Chong making a return to Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk in the men’s singles yesterday.
But for the 24-year-old Cordon, it was his best career win and a boost for his country, where badminton is just a passing hobby.
“I knew it was bad luck when the draw was out but today, I have just experienced my best career win,” said a jubilant Cordon.
“This will certainly boost my hope to qualify for next year’s Olympic Games.
“I lost to China’s Bao Chunlai in the first round of the Beijing Olympic Games four years ago but today’s win against another Chinese player had given me a lot of confidence.
“I spend a lot of time training in Europe to improve my badminton. This time, I was based in Spain since March. Hopefully, I will keep doing well here.”
Yesterday, the spotlight was also on top seed Chong Wei but he struggled to find his quality shots against Thailand’s Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk. He went on to win 21-15, 21-17 in 31 minutes.
Chong Wei will take on Ville Lang of Finland in the second round tomorrow.
The win against the lanky Thai was Chong Wei’s fourth straight success but probably the most challenging one.
“I know, it was not a very impressive win but the most important thing is that I made it to the next round,” said Chong Wei.
After taking his time to slowly get into the game, Chong Wei only started showing more urgency after Tanongsak took a 11-9 in the second game.
“My retrieves were out of reach and my shots were inaccurate. And the combination of that saw me being pressured by Tanongsak. I was also guilty of committing many mistakes today.
“It was a good warm-up though and hopefully, I will grow more confident and become better in every match. I will meet Lang next and I will not take his challenge lightly.”
“I have one day rest tomorrow (today) and I hope to come back stronger for the second round match,” he added.
Today, Malaysia’s independent shuttler Wong Choong Hann will begin his campaign when he takes on Hsieh Yu-hsing in the opening round.
The first round matches are being played over two days.
Posted by Lucas Liau
on 9:57 AM.
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