BIG GUNS OUT TO AMBUSH CHONG WEI
He is drawn with world champion Axelsen and Olympic champion Chen Long
THE Malaysia Open at the Axiata Arena on June 26-July 1 is set to be the toughest one for former World No 1 Lee Chong Wei in his quest for a record 12th title.
This is because he is drawn in the top half alongside World No 1 Viktor Axelsen of Denmark, Shi Yuqi of China, Olympic champion Chen Long (China) and fivetime world champion Lin Dan (China).
Based on the draw released by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) yesterday, Chong Wei, 36, opens his campaign in the first round against Japan's Kazumasa Sakai.
A win, could see Chong Wei play former South Korean ace Lee Hyun Il in the second round.
Axelsen, who has beaten Chong Wei thrice since 2016, is expected to play the three-time Olympic silver medallist in the last eight, while one of the three China players, Chen Long, Shi Yuqi and Lin Dan, is likely to play Chong Wei in the semi-finals.
At the previous edition in Kuching, Chong Wei failed to clinch his 12th title, after going down to Lin Dan in the final.
In the men's doubles, national No 1 Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong, will play Thailand's Tinn Isriyanet-Kittisak Namdash in the opening round, while in the women's singles, Soniia Cheah will take on top seed and defending champion Tai Tzu Ying.
In the women's doubles, scratch pair Vivian Hoo-Soong Fie Cho, have been drawn to play Japan's Naoko Fukuman-Kurumi Yonao while 2016 Rio Olympic Games silver medallists Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying, play Taiwan's Wang Chi Lin-Lee Chia Hsin in the mixed doubles first round.