Chong Wei clears the first hurdle

World No. 3 stamps his mark with victory over Ueda

WORLD No. 3 Lee Chong Wei was hardly tested as he made a winning start to his Celcom Axiata Malaysian Open campaign.

The 33-year-old, who missed last year’s tournament due to a doping suspension, cantered to a 21-11, 21-8 win over Japan’s Takuma Ueda at the Malawati Stadium.

All Chong Wei wants is to avoid the mistakes which resulted in him being booted out in the early rounds of the All-England and Indian Open last month.

“Previously, I placed too much expectation on myself ... hoping to reach at least the semi-finals or better,” said Chong Wei.

“Now, I’m just enjoying being back at the Malaysian Open ... and being in front of the home crowd.

“My opponent today wasn’t the toughest, but I had a good workout. I know many players are struggling with the wind conditions in the stadium, but I adapted better.”

The 10-time Malaysian Open winner is hoping that he’ll be able to adapt the draught again when he takes on South Korean Son Wan-ho in the second round.

World No. 13 Wan-ho had earlier slogged to beat Malaysia’s Goh Soon Huat 21-16, 5-21, 21-13.

Five-time world champion Lin Dan also got off to a winning start, beating Malaysian qualifier Chong Yee Han (pic) 21-10, 21-15.

It was an easy win for the twotime Olympic gold medallist, but the 21-year-old Yee Han deserves credit for not showing Lin Dan too much respect.

World No. 197 Yee Han was not even supposed to be playing in the tournament as he was only seventh on the reserve list.

But he took his chances well, including beating former world No. 3 Kenichi Tago of Japan in the qualifiers.

He even earned praise from Lin Dan.

“To be honest, I’ve never heard of him (Yee Han) before ... I didn’t even know his full name. But I watched his match against Tago and he played well,” said Lin Dan.

“He also played well in the second game against me, but I think he lacks exposure and experience.

“I’m glad to get past the first round. This is a tough stadium to play in and the warm-up area isn’t the best either.

“I have to be more prepared next time as there are not going be any easy matches,” added Lin Dan, who faces Thailand’s Boonsak Ponsana next.

In other results, Indonesia’s rising star Jonatan Christie continued to impress by packing off seventh seed Chou Tien-chen of Taiwan 21-13, 12-21, 21-8.