Chong Wei leads exodus of top seeds
BADMINTON
Thursday, 18 Jan 2018
Down and out: Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei falls after failing to retrieve a shot by Kenta Nishimoto of Japan during the first round of the Perodua Malaysian Masters at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil yesterday. — S.S.KANESAN / The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: It was a day full of shocking defeats.
World No. 2 Lee Chong Wei was the biggest casualty, losing to Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto 21-19, 18-21, 19-21 in the first round of the Perodua Malaysian Masters at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
Joining him by the wayside were China’s world No. 4 Chen Long, world No. 6 Lin Dan, South Korea’s world No. 5 Son Wan-ho and Taiwan’s world No. 7 Chou Tien-chen.
It was the three-time Olympic silver medallist’s second defeat to world No. 29 Nishimoto. He also lost to the Japanese in the first round of the French Open last year.
“This is not the most important tournament for me. I still have the Malaysian Open in June,” said Chong Wei.
“Besides, I’m not in the best condition as I was on holiday with my family after the World Superseries Finals in Dubai last month.”
With Chong Wei out, Malaysia’s challenge in men’s singles falls on the shoulders of national No. 2 Lee Zii Jia and former national shuttler Liew Daren.
World No. 42 Zii Jia was on song as he downed Denmark’s Emil Holst 21-12, 21-18 to set up a second round clash with Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie.
Daren claimed the scalp of Wan-ho. He won 21-15, 21-13 and meets another Korean shuttler Jeon Hyeok-jin next.
Despite being the start of the year, reigning Olympic gold medallist Chen Long and five-time world champion Lin Dan were far from their usual self.
Chen Long fell to a 17-21, 15-21 defeat to Indonesia’s world No. 13 Anthony Ginting while Lin Dan gave a slightly better performance but still fell short in a 16-21, 21-18, 17-21 defeat to Indonesia’s Ihsan Maulana Mustofa.
“I think I got a little too relaxed in the third game despite leading and it allowed my opponent to catch up fast,” said Lin Dan.
“But overall it was not my best performance on the day. I think it was probably because I haven’t played in this stadium for a long time.
“When we have so many tournaments a year, we can’t do well in every event.
“For the top players, our main goal is definitely to focus more on the major events.
“Personally, my preparation is geared towards the All-England (in March), the World Championships, Asian Games and the Thomas Cup,” added Lin Dan.
Chen Long did not read too much into his defeat.
“There is still the Malaysian Open in June. We do have a few major tournaments this year and it’s not going to be easy for us to maintain our form. But I’m not worried too much about that yet as I still have to compete in the Indonesian Masters next week.”
Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/sport/badminton/2018/01/18/chong-wei-leads-exodus-of-top-seeds/#ya6IbRrQChTrHqUI.99
