Datuk Lee Chong Wei celebrates victory against Jan O Jorgensen of Denmark during their semi-fi nal men’s singles match of the 2015 World Championships in Jakarta. — AFP photo
JAKARTA: Datuk Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia cruised into his fourth straight men’s singles fi nal at the world championships yesterday, but must overcome Chinese top seed Chen Long to win his elusive gold. Chong Wei, a three-time runner up at badminton’s most prestigious event, advanced to yet another title match after swatting aside second seed Jan O. Jorgensen of Denmark 21-7, 21-19. The former world number one is unseeded for the fi rst time in years at this world championships, having just returned from an eight-month ban for doping.
But he’s staged a ferocious comeback and looks dangerous as ever in Jakarta, dismissing four seeded opponents in his relentless march towards a maiden world crown.
But to end his gold-medal drought the Malaysian superstar must beat world number one Chen, who defeated him in last year’s world championship fi nal and has already won four titles this season. “Last year and this year are very different,” said 32-year-old Chong Wei. “This is my chance, and maybe my last opportunity.”
Jorgensen, who will take home bronze after his impressive win over Chinese legend Lin Dan in the quarter fi nals, was caught completely off guard as Chong Wei unleashed his full potential. “You could say that I forgot how it is to play Lee Chong Wei,” the Dane said. “Nobody else in the world has that speed. I think he will win.”
Chen smashed Kento Momota of Japan 21-9, 21-15 to advance to his second straight fi nal, but acknowledged defending his world title this year would be no easy task. Meanwhile world number one Carolina Marin, who almost didn’t make the world championships due to injury, staged a gripping comeback against South Korea’s Sung Ji-Hyun to book a secondstraight fi nals appearance.
The top seed and defending champion screamed in triumph as she emerged victorious after a 90-minute battle over Sung 21-17, 15-21, 21-16. Marin will face second seed Saina Nehwal after she brushed off local favourite Lindaweni Fanetri 21-17, 21-17 before a riotous home crowd. — AFP