Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia’s Thomas Cup and Uber Cup teams left for New Delhi on Thursday. This would be Lee Chong Wei’s sixth Thomas Cup appearance, and he is determined make his mark on by winning all his matches.
Two years ago, the world number one Lee Chong Wei sustained a serious ankle injury at the Thomas Cup in Wuhan, when he landed awkwardly after going two points ahead in his match against Denmark’s Peter Gade. Doctors rushed onto court, but the he was in visible pain and crying as he was taken for treatment at a nearby hospital. Malaysia eventually went down to Denmark 2-3, with both doubles pairs losing their matches, and was eliminated by China 1-3 in the knockout stage.
“I am ready for this Thomas Cup, I will try everything I can to win a point and give a head start for Malaysia. I am going to play K. Srikanth of India in opening game on Sunday, then Marc Zwiebler of Germany on Monday, and Son Wan-ho of South Korea on Wednesday,” said Chong Wei.
Chong Wei was glad to see Daren Liew stepped up and assumed responsibility of team captain.
“I won’t be here forever, and this could be my last Thomas Cup. I am happy to see our guys has grown and matured as badminton player,” added Chong Wei.
“Our team is pumped-up for good showings in New Delhi, we will try to win all group matches first and then play one game at a time next,โ he added.
Line-up for Malaysia’s Thomas Cup:
Men’s singles: Lee Chong Wei, Chong Wei Feng, Daren Liew and Goh Soon Huat.
Men’s doubles: Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong, Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah and Tan Boon Heong-Chan Peng Soon.
Line-up for Malaysia’s Uber Cup:
Women’s singles: Tee Jing Yi, Yang Li Lian, Lim Yin Fun and Lim Chiew Sien,
Women’s doubles: Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei, Amelia Anscelly-Soong Fie Cho and Lim Yin Loo-Lim Meng Yean