Chance for gold haul from Chong Wei, Vivian-Mei Kuan

GOLD COAST: The national contingent are in line for two more possible gold medals as Datuk Lee Chong Wei and women’s doubles Vivian Hoo-Chow Mei Kuan stormed into the individual badminton finals at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

In the semi-finals at Carrara Sports and Leisure Centre yesterday, Chong Wei overpowered H.S Prannoy of India 21-16, 9-21, 21-15 for another epic clash against India’s K. Srikanth who had just been ranked as the number one player in the world this week.

“According to the latest record, I lost twice to H.S Prannoy. But today, I was prepared for the toughest game. First set point to point .... but in the second set, he led far ahead, I tried to close the gap but it was too far so I let him take the set.

“In the rubber set, I set myself to keep pace with him. As it will be my last Commonwealth Games, I did not hold anything back. A defeat will mean I have to play for bronze again, so I just play all out,” he said.

Commenting on his meeting with Srikanth today, Chong Wei said the pressure would be on Srikanth as he is now the number one player in the world and would be under intense scrutiny.

“The pressure will be on him as he is world number one. I greatly want to contribute a gold medal to the country, at the same I do not want it to be a pressure to play well tomorrow,” he said.

Earlier, in another men’s singles’ semi-finals, Srikanth disposed of Rajiv Ouseph of England 21-10, 2117 to book his final berth.

Meanwhile, national women’s doubles Vivian-Mei Kuan will meet England’s Lauren SmithSarah Walker for the gold medal in the final.

Earlier, Vivian-Mei Kuan put up a powerful performance to tame N.Sikki Reddy-Ashwini Ponnappa of India 17-21, 21-15, 21-4 in a match lasting more than an hour.

The English pair however easily beat host doubles Setyana Mapasa-Gronya Somerville 2115, 21-15.

On their chances today, Vivian said it would narrow down to who played better today.

“I hope we would enter the court with more confidence and give our best. We just do not want to think of the gold medal now,” she said.