Bangkok
IT was a personal accomplishment for Lee Chong Wei.
Yesterday, a pumped up Chong Wei gave Malaysia a brilliant start when he crushed world champion Viktor Axelsen in a Group D opening tie against Denmark.
The 35-year-old Chong Wei came out firing to beat the Dane 21-9, 21-19 in a 43-minute match to end his three back-to-back defeat to the world No. 1 over the last one year.
Youngster Lee Zii Jia made it a grand day for Malaysia when he defied the odds to beat Hans-Kristian Vittinghus 21-18, 21-18 to give Malaysia a 2-1 lead at press time, with the second doubles and the third singles match to be played.
Both Malaysia and Denmark have qualified for the quarter-finals.
Chong Wei stepped on the gas from the word go in the first game as he hardly gave the Dane the space to attack.
But the Dane upped the ante in the second and lurked dangerously for a rubber game but Chong Wei pulled off a few incredible shots towards the end for a straight-game victory.
“I’ve never lost to Axelsen in a team event and I’m happy to keep that good record,” said a delighted Chong Wei.
“This win is also a personal motivation for me. I’ve lost to him three times but finally, I’ve beaten the reigning world champion. It’s not good to lose all the time.”
Chong Wei’s status has been under threat after losing to Axelsen since the 2016 World Superseries Finals. He also lost to him at the Japan Open and World Superseries Finals last year.
“I went on the attacking mode from the start and it made him uncomfortable.
“I was prepared for a rubber match but fortunately, I was able to use my experience to pressure him to make mistakes,” he said.
Axelsen took the defeat in his stride.
“I found it hard to handle the wind and an aggressive Chong Wei. He deserved to win. I had my chances in the second but I didn’t take it.
“I wanted to do well for the team. It’s alright, I will dust off this defeat and do well tomorrow (quarter-finals).”
Chong Wei hoped that Malaysia would ride on his success.
“I’ve given the first point and I hope the team will be motivated to win their matches,” he said.
Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong failed to capitalise on the good start and went down fighting 24-22, 21-15, 21-15 to Mads Conrad-Petersen-Mads Pieler Kolding in the first doubles.
Debutant Zii Jia, hardly showed nerves as he tore apart Vittinghus in the first game.
He was even more remarkable in the second game when he bounced back from 6-16, 12-18 to snatch the victory.
“I’m happy to deliver for Malaysia. I was very motivated and I played the right tactical game to win,” said the 20-year-old.
The others in the tie against Denmark are Aaron Chia-Teo Ee Yi against Mathias Boe-Mathias Christiansen; and Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin against Jan O Jorgensen.
