A POTENTIAL title showdown between World No 1 Lee Chong Wei and China’s Lin Dan, a repeat of Sunday’s All England final, will be a big crowd puller in the Swiss Open which begins in Basel today.
Should it happen, it will provide the Malaysian with the chance to settle scores with the World No 2 after the latter’s win in Birmingham.
Although it remains to be seen if Chong Wei has recovered from Sunday’s defeat, national singles coach Misbun Sidek looks at it as a new battle and an opportunity for Chong Wei to make amends.
“The title clash is what we want to witness. That will be a second chance for Chong Wei and, hopefully, he can further improve,” said Misbun by telephone from Birmingham on Sunday.
“Chong Wei is at least satisfied that he was not thrashed in Birmingham and the Swiss Open will show how good either player is for a second week running.”
Chong Wei will face tougher matches in Basel where he opens against Japan’s No 1 Kenichi Tago, and if he advances, will find Boonsak Ponsana of Thailand awaiting him.
A quarter-final clash against Taufik Hidayat is on the cards and although Chong Wei beat the Indonesian in the semi-finals of the All England, Taufik cannot be taken lightly. Chong Wei, if he wins, will then play Peter Gade Christensen of Denmark for a place in the final.
Should the Malaysian make it, he gets the opportunity to make amends against Lin Dan in Sunday’s final.
Veteran Wong Choong Hann faces a difficult first round against Simon Santoso of Indonesia, while Sairul Amar Ayob will also find the going tough against Christensen.
Lee Tsuen Seng, for his part, has a fighting chance against Hong Kong’s Chan Yan Kit before an anticipated second round clash with Christensen.
However, all eyes will be on the explosive Chong Wei-Lin Dan battle which most badminton enthusiasts will be hoping goes the Malaysian’s way, if for no other reason, to stop the men’s singles from being a one-man show.
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March 17th, 2009 at 11:44 am
Lee Chong Wei is an excellent player, but with only 6 wins out of 18 head to head matches, it’s hard to say that Lee’s world number one ranking is anything more than a formality. Even after winning the Swiss Open, he’s hardly the favourite if Lin Dan is in the draw. Nonetheless, a great result for Lee Chong Wei!
March 20th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Yeah..I agree with you Emmet. Anyway, he has done a great job. I believe this year he should be able to get back the rhythm. And I believe he will beat Lin Dan soon.