DAREN DARES TO DREAM AFTER REACHING SEMIS
Daren ready to go the extra mile against world No.1 Axelsen
KUALA LUMPUR: Can Liew Daren’s badminton career take flight again?
It certainly looks that way after the AirAsiasponsored shuttler rolled back the years to storm into the men’s singles semi-finals at the Perodua Malaysian Masters.
The 30-year-old, who left the national team two years ago, has hit a purple patch after he displayed a near flawless performance to beat Thailand’s Suppanyu Avihingsanon 21-18, 21-17 in the quarter-finals at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
It is Daren’s second semi-final appearance following a last-four finish at the Thailand Masters in Bangkok last week.
The 2012 French Open winner will take on world No. 1 Viktor Axelsen of Denmark for a place in the final.
Reigning world champion Axelsen was taken the distance before beating Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie 21-15, 19-21, 21-12.
The world No. 62 Daren remained calm and composed ahead of his big clash today.
“My condition was a bit down after a tough match in the second round. I managed to keep my pace in the first game but I was struggling in the second and my speed dropped,” said Daren.
“Fortunately, Suppanyu was also struggling. He also had a tough match yesterday (on Thursday) and he was more affected.
“It’s great to make the semi-finals for a second straight week. I did work hard prior to this tournament and the Thailand Masters.
“I do want to push further and try to make the final but Viktor will be a very tough opponent. He is the world No. 1 and the world champion after all.
“I did beat him in the French Open final ... but that was so long ago and so much has changed,” he added.
Meanwhile, Lee Ying Ying and Goh Jin Wei failed to score any upsets after both fell to world champions in contrasting styles in the women’s singles quarter-finals.
The world No. 49 Ying Ying had a bright start against world No. 4 Carolina Marin of Spain but failed during crucial moments to lose 17-21, 16-21.
“I got a little impatient and Carolina had the experience to make her shots even though she was struggling,” admitted Ying Ying.
“It’s still a good experience for me. I rarely have an opportunity to play top players, what more Carolina, who is my idol.”
Jin Wei sparked a great hope for the day’s biggest upset when she snatched a 23-21 win over Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand in the opening game but ran out of steam later, losing 6-21, 10-21.
I did beat him in the French Open final ... but that was so long ago and so much has changed. Liew Daren