Chong Wei impressed by national shuttlers at Thomas Cup
BANGKOK: The good performance by young singles national players such as Lee Jii Zia and Leong Jun Hao at the Thomas Cup gives a bit of a relief to Datuk Lee Chong Wei.
The former world number one said that if they continue to perform well in the future, he would consider hanging up his racket after knowing the young line- up is ready and able to continue Malaysia’s challenge in badminton.
“Yes, Lee ( Zii Jia) and Leong (Jun Hao) have performed well. They need to continue their good performance by participating in more tournaments and raise their rankings,” he told Malaysian journalists at the Impact Arena here on Thursday.
Malaysia failed to achieve their semi-final target after losing 1- 3 to Indonesia in the quarter-finals.
Chong Wei scored the only win for Malaysia after defeating young player Anthony Sinisuka Ginting in the first singles.
Chong Wei beat 21- year- old Ginting 21-19, 21-16 in a match that lasted 49 minutes.
The world number 13 has bright future ahead of him, said Chong Wei.
“Give him one to two years and he will be among the top 10 players in the world,” he said, adding that during the recent Asia Championship meet, Ginting had dragged him into rubber sets.
Malaysian shuttlers couldn’t keep up the momentum after Rio Olympic Games 2016 silver medallist Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong were defeated in a three setter by Marcus Fernaldi GideonKevin Sanjaya Sukomuljo 21-19, 20-22, 21-13.
Indonesia’s second point was contributed by Christie Jonatan who beat Zii Jia 21-15, 11-21, 21-13. They secured the winning points through their second doubles Alfian Fajar and Muhammad Rian Ardianto, who defeated Aaron Chia and Teo Ee Yi
Indonesia’s winning point came from their second doubles pair Alfian Fajar and Muhammad Rian Ardianto who defeated Malaysia’s Aaron Chia and Teo Ee Yi 21-18,1021, 21- 9. — Bernama