PETALING JAYA: Lee Chong Wei is back on song.
The 33-year-old shuttler was in irrepressible form as he snuffed out the challenge of Hong Kong’s Angus Ng Ka Long to storm into the Hong Kong Open final.
Chong Wei, who climbed to No. 6 in the world on Thursday, clobbered the 21-year-old Angus 21-19, 21-14 win at the Hong Kong Coliseum to enter his third straight final.
Chong Wei had won the French Open in October and the China Open last week.
The two-time Olympic silver medallist, who defeated world No. 1 Chen Long in the quarter-finals on Friday, was a step slower at the beginning as world No. 22 Angus raced into a 6-0 lead.
Angus had control of the match and was looking to close out the first game after leading 18-14. Chong Wei then came alive to steal the game 21-19.
The Penangite, now growing in confidence, surged to an 18-9 lead in the second game before having to fend off a fightback by Angus to seal his spot in the final after 46 minutes.
Chong Wei’s final opponent will be China’s world No. 10 Tian Houwei, who eliminated Indonesian youngster Anthony Ginting 18-21, 21-11, 21-6 in the other semi-final.
National coach Tey Seu Bock is wary of the threat posed by Houwei, who defeated Chong Wei in their only encounter – the final of the Australian Open two years ago.
“Chong Wei played a good game today. He started slow, but he managed to counter Angus’ attacks eventually,” said Seu Bock.
“All credit to Angus ... a young player, but he played a mature game against Chong Wei.
“We’ll also need to be careful against Houwei. He’s also a young player, but he’s from China ... so he’s extra motivated.”
In women’s singles, Japan’s world No. 9 Nozomi Okuhara checked into the final for the second straight year after ousting former world champion Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand 26-24, 21-6 in the semi-finals.
Okuhara will meet Spain’s world No. 1 Carolina Marin, who defeated China’s Wang Yihan 21-18, 21-16, in the final.
