Dubai: BadmintonPlanet’s prediction on Wednesday about the results of Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Superseries Finals men’s singles Group A turned out to be quite correct.
Although Lee Chong Wei defeated Angus Ng Ka Long in his first group match, we’ve said the situation could get tricky if Ng beat Son Wan Ho on Thursday and if Lee loses the last group match to Son Wan Ho on Friday.
In his second Group A match, Hong Kong’s Angus Ng Ka Long did himself a great favor to stay in the BWF World Superseries Finals contention by beating Son Wan Ho 21-15, 13-21, 21-16 in an 80 minutes battle on Thursday.
The best way and the safest way for Lee to advance to the knockout stage would be to beat Son Wan Ho on Friday. However, if things don’t go his way, BWF will need to look into Lee’s scores difference with Angus Ng Ka Long and Son Wan Ho to determine who can secure a spot in the semi-finals.
Lee told reporters that he is ready for the match-up against Son.
“Every game here is tricky, and I am ready for that,” said Lee.
Meanwhile, Malaysian coach Tey Seu Bock hopes Lee could keep the momentum going on Friday.
“Chong Wei was very confident when he played against Ng Ka Long.”
Lee who had won the BWF Super Series Finals four times: 2008 (Kota Kinabalu) 2009 (Johor Baru), 2010 (Taiwan) and 2013 (Kuala Lumpur), is looking to win a record fifth men’s singles title in this year’s end of season finale in Dubai.
In men’s singles Group B, Shi Yuqi of China picked up his second victory by defeating reigning World Champion, Viktor Axelsen 13-21, 21-18, 21-17, while India’s badminton ace Kidambi Srikanth suffered his second defeat to Chou Tien Chen of Taiwan 18-21, 18-21 and had no chance of moving on to the knockout round.
