Chong Wei sets up last-eight clash with Axelsen
THE clash of the titans is on. As expected, Lee Chong Wei will take on Viktor Axelsen of Denmark in a mouth-watering clash in the men's singles quarter-finals of the Celcom Axiata Malaysian Open.
Yesterday, Chong Wei strolled to a 21-7, 21-7 win over veteran Lee Hyun-il of South Korea in just 29 minutes, but Axelsen needed to battle through 67 minutes before triumphing 23-21, 19-21, 21-11 over Thailand's Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk in the second round.
The 35-year-old former world No. 1 Chong Wei crushed Axelsen, the current world No. 1, 21-9, 21-19 at the Thomas Cup Finals in Bangkok, Thailand, last month. But Chong Wei still remained cautious of his younger opponent.
“He's the world No. 1, I’ve got nothing to lose," said Chong Wei in a curt reply.
“I just hope to enjoy another great battle with him," he added.
Reigning world champion Axelsen however, does not seem to be in his best condition.
The 24-year-old could hardly speak after his defeat to Tanongsak as he was coughing throughout the post-match interview session that lasted barely 50 seconds.
In fact, Axelsen has been struggling from Tuesday's first round as he was also stretched to three games by another Thai Khosit Phetpradab.
But being a super-fit athlete, one should never rule out Axelsen, who can strike when it matters most.
Meanwhile, it was the end of the road for defending champion Lin Dan of China as he went down 19-21, 12-21 to compatriot Shi Yuqi in another second-round match.
Yuqi said Lin Dan was playing nowhere near his best.
“I'm delighted to go through. ‘Brother Dan' made many errors, especially in the second game. That wasn't the usual him," said Yuqi, who will take on former world No. 3 Tommy Sugiarto of Indonesia for a place in the last four.
Japan's Kento Momota, the top contender in the opposite half, barely broke a sweat when second seed Son Wan-ho of South Korea retired due to calf injury.
India's former world No. 1 K. Srikanth is also through after beating Wang Tzuwei of Taiwan 22-20, 21-12 to keep alive a hope of winning the tournament for the first time.