Datuk Lee Chong Wei remains the hottest badminton property in the country even at the ripe age of 35 and Malaysians are counting on the veteran shuttler in the men’s single for his 12th Malaysia Open title.
However, with a top-heavy cast in the USD700,000 Celcom Axiata Malaysia Open which begins at the Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil on Tuesday, has bigger things on his mind.
The Malaysia Open has drawn the world’s top 10 players, including world No 1 Viktor Axelsen of Denmark, defending champion and world No 8 Lin Dan and 2015 winner Chen Long ( world No 5), both from China.
Chong Wei has been drawn in the same half with the above mentioned big names and the Malaysian will face Japan’s Kazumasa Sakai and if he wins he will face either Thai youngster Suppanyu Avihingsanon or South Korean veteran Lee Hyun-Il.
Chong Wei leads 4-0 in the head-to-head count against Sakai with his last win being at the Badminton Asia Championships in Wuhan, China in April. The Malaysian won 21-19, 21-11.
“I have prepared myself for the Malaysia Open and everyone is counting on me to deliver in front of the home fans after I lost (to Lin Dan) in the final last year.
“It sort of motivating for me but this year’s Malaysia Open has drawn the top players in the world. The draw itself is a tough one for me but I will go for it,” said Chong Wei.
In the same breath, Chong Wei reminded that he is focused on doing well in two other major meets this year – next month’s World Championships in Nanjing, China, and the Asian Games in Indonesia in August.
“I have won the title (Malaysia Open) 11 and I hope it will motivate the younger Malaysian shuttlers in their badminton career.”
Coach Hendrawan said Chong Wei’s “main target” is the Asian Games.
In the Malaysia Open, if Chong Wei survives to reach the quarter-finals, it is a possible clash against Danish ace Axelsen who was humbled by the Malaysian 21-9, 21-19 in a group match in last month’s Thomas Cup Finals in Bangkok. The Danes won the tie 3-2.
It is either Chen Long or Lin Dan waiting for him in the last four.
For the record, Chong Wei won the Malaysia Open title in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012,, 2013, 2014 and 2016. RIZAL ABDULLAH
