Challenging draw for Lee Chong Wei in the 2011 Badminton World Championships – Badminton News
Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei, who is the World Number One and top seed of the 2011 Badminton World Championships, will face an uphill battle in the Men’s Singles draw as he will meet some of the best shuttlers in the world on his route to the finals. The event
will start in London, from August 8, 2011.
The 28-year-old Malaysian will start his journey in the World Championship against upcoming and spirited shuttlers which include Thailand’s Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk and Indonesia’s Dionysius Hayom Rumbaka.
After passing the initial hurdles, the World Number One is expected to fight against Korea’s Park Sung Hwan and World Number Five in the international rankings, China’s Chen Long. These two shuttlers have the ability to deliver a stunning performance and
make an upset against the top seed.
The ruling World Champion, Chen Jin of China and the former World and Olympic Champion, Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia, are also placed in the same half of the Men’s Singles draw. Both shuttlers are highly experienced as they have extensive exposure of playing
at the international level.
Malaysian head coach, Rashid Sidek said, “It is a tough draw from the first round. Tanongsak and Hayom are upcoming youngsters and we have to be wary of them. Chong Wei lost to Taufik last year (in the quarter-finals of the world meet in Paris) and Sung-hwan
is no pushover. The Chinese players – Chen Long and Chen Jin are dangerous.”
He further added, “Yes, Chong Wei has beaten all of them in convincing ways in the past but I would rather not underestimate anyone. This is world championships and everyone will be playing at their best.”
Chong Wei will meet either Taufik or Chen Jin in the semi-final stage, if the top seed gets rid of his opponents in the previous round matches. The Malaysian got severe treatment from Taufik in the 2010 World Championships in Paris. That is why he needs
to be vigilant this time, as it is expected to be his last participation in the World Championships. The charismatic shuttler has planned to retire from competitive badminton after the 2012 London Olympics.
Tags: