‘PRESSURE IS ON SRIKANTH’

Relaxed Chong Wei says the heat is on Indian top seed

THERE is something different about Lee Chong Wei at the Commonwealth Games. Without burden on his shoulders to deliver, the World No 7 is playing with no pressure and enjoying his final outing.

In the past, the shuttler used to be moody whenever he played in priority tournaments.

Chong Wei will play his final Commonwealth Games match at the Carrara Sports and Leisure Centre in today’s men’s singles gold medal match against World

No 1 K. Srikanth of India.

The three-time Olympic silver medallist battled past another India shuttler, HS Prannoy 21-16, 9-21, 21-14 while top seed Srikanth looked solid in the 21-10, 21-17 win over England’s Rajiv Ouseph in yesterday’s semi-finals.

The battle between the second seed and Srikanth is expected to be explosive with the 36year-old Malaysian hoping to avenge his defeat to the India player in the mixed team final.

When asked whether he was feeling the pressure ahead of the final, Chong Wei, who was a little taken aback by the question, replied: “Why should I be the one feeling the pressure? Srikanth is the top seed and World No 1, so he should be the one feeling the pressure going into the final.

“It will be my last match at the Games and I want to win it (gold medal),” said a jovial Chong Wei.

“Srikanth played a great match in the mixed team final and I was surprised with his display.

“I will review that game and will be prepared for the final. I will try my best and please do not give me pressure by reminding me about winning the match.”

In the semi-finals, Chong Wei was fired up for revenge after losing twice to Prannoy, who may have irked Chong Wei with his celebratory gestures whenever he won a point.

“After my first game win, Prannoy went up 11-5 in the second but I did not give up, but things were made difficult when he raced further ahead.

“Before the third game, I told myself that I needed to match him in terms of speed. I did just that and tested him in all aspects.

“I used up all my energy and psyched myself as I did not want to lose today.

“It would have been tough to return to court for the bronze medal match,” said Chong Wei who won the singles gold medal at the 2002 and 2006 editions.

If Chong Wei wins today, he will bow out with a record of never losing a men’s singles match in the Commonwealth Games.