KUALA LUMPUR: World No.1 Lee Chong Wei dropped his first game of the tournament yesterday as he overcame Denmark’s Jan O Jorgensen to secure a place in the finals of the Malaysia Badminton Open.
The home favorite, bidding for record ninth Malaysia Open title, dropped the second game to the determined and energetic 26-year-old emerging Dane, but eventually won through 21-13, 17-21, 21-12.
“It was indeed a tough match and Jan pushed me hard,” said Lee, 30, who will now face Indonesia’s Sony Dwi Kuncoro in the final.
“I haven’t faced him in over a year but he has bounced back from his injuries to break into the top five in the world. So I’m expecting another tough match.” Kuncoro, a three-time Asian champion, was ranked as low as number 79 in the world ten months ago but is now in top form after battling back from back and leg injuries.
The 29-year-old, a bronze medalist in the 2004 Athens Olympics, will move up to number four when the new world rankings are announced next week.
Kuncoro advanced to the final by beating Japan’s Kenichi Tago 21-12, 19-21, 23-21.
“I’m delighted to be back in the mix of a Superseries final. A year ago, my career was in jeopardy due to all my injuries but I’ve buckled down and I’m happy with my progress,” he said.
In the women’ singles, China’s Yao Xue will be in her first Superseries final after beating South Korea’s Bae Yeon-Ju 21-15, 21-18 in 34 minutes.
Yao, who turned 22 on Thursday, will take on 18-year-old Tai Tzu-ying of Taiwan, who stunned Indian top seed Saina Nehwal 22-20, 21-14.
“I never expected to come this far in this tournament. I had to come through the qualifying rounds and to reach the final is a big bonus for me,” Yao said.
Chinese pair Bao Yixin/Tian Qing beat Indonesia’s Lejarsar Variella Aprilsasi Putri/Marissa Vita 21-13, 21-17 to book a berth in the women’s doubles finals.
The Chinese pair will face Japan’s Misaki Matsutomo and Ayaka Takahashi. The Japanese players had earlier defeated Singapore’s Shinta Mulia Sari and her partner Yao Lei 22-20, 21-14.
Lee moves into Malaysia Badminton Open finals
Lee moves into Malaysia Badminton Open finals
Al-Hilal win tightens Saudi Pro League title race
- The 3-2 victory over Al-Khaleej leaves Al-Hilal a single point behind Riyadh rivals Al-Nassr, who play on Saturday
DUBAI: The gap at the top of the Saudi Pro League table was cut to just one point on Friday night, following Al-Hilal’s 3-2 win over Al-Khaleej.
Simone Inzaghi’s team leapfrogged Al-Taawoun into second place to remain the closest challengers to Al-Nassr in the title fight, with the leaders set to host Al-Okhdood on Saturday.
Al-Hilal opened the scoring on 18 minutes when Mohammed Kanno met Hamad Al-Yami’s lay-off on the edge of the penalty area, his long-range shot beating Al-Khaleej goalkeeper Anthony Moris at his left-hand post.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic doubled the lead on 39 from Malcom’s assist to leave the visitors with a mountain to climb in the second half. Al-Hilal looked to have secured all three points comfortably when Malcom made it 3-0 on 57 minutes, but Al-Khaleej had other ideas.
Joshua King’s goal on 79 minutes looked to be nothing more than a consolation, but five minutes later Al-Hilal were left sweating after Giorgos Masouras cut their lead to a single goal. The visitors’ revival was short-lived, however, with no more additions to the score.
The defeat leaves Al-Khaleej in eighth place, with three matches still to be played on Saturday.
Earlier on Friday, Al-Taawoun briefly climbed to second place in the table after an away win against Al-Kholood at Al-Hazem Stadium. Their goals came from Christopher Zambrano after 22 minutes and a William Troost-Ekong’s own goal in the 75th; Al-Taawoun ended the match with 10 men after Muteb Al-Mufarrij was sent off in stoppage time, but the three points were already secured.
Al-Hilal’s win later in the day meant Al-Taawoun dropped to third, while Al-Kholood sit in 12th.
The first match of the day saw Al-Fateh shock reigning Asian champions Al-Ahli with a 2-1 win, after falling behind at home to Valentin Atangana’s 22nd-minute goal. However, the home team turned the match around with two goals from Maria Vargas either side of half time.
The win saw Al-Fateh rise to 14th while Al-Ahli stayed in fourth.
