SPORTS

Lee Chong Wei Smashed Again

In just five days, shuttler Lee Chong Wei has dragged off another unbelievable win. The unseeded Chong Wei performed a superb comeback to shock top seed Chen Long of China for the second time in less than a week at the Hong Kong Open in Kowloon. 

Chong Wei won the quarter-final clash 13-21, 21-19, 21-15 in one hour and 25 minutes.Chong Wei had overpowered Chen Long 21-15, 21-11 in the final of the China Open on Sunday.

The 33-year-old Chong Wei will take on Hong Kong’s Angus Ng Ka Long in the men’s singles semi-finals on Saturday, but it’s the match against Chen Long that he will savour.

While Chong Wei was desirable on Sunday, the match on Friday went down to the wire especially the rubber game. Seeking revenge, Chen Long powered his way with extra determination as he produced excellent court coverage and impressive smashes to take the opener.

The Malaysian stepped up a gear in the second game to take a 6-1 lead. But his joy was short-lived as Chen Long clawed his way back into the game to level it at 9-9 before pulling away to 18-13. Just when everyone thought it was all over for Chong Wei, The Malaysian navigated his way back to level the score at 19-19 before romping home.

National coach Tey Seu Bock was impressed with Chong Wei’s reliability.

Syafiq beats at top Addeen to reach Malaysian 

Tour squash semis

KUALA LUMPUR: Youngster Mohd Syafiq Kamal proved he deserved his place in the Malaysia team for the World Men’s Team Squash Championships.

At the trials for the world meet last month, Syafiq received a free pass to join Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan, Ivan Yuen and Sanjay Singh Chal after his opponent Mohd Addeen Idrakie was injured in a motorcycle accident.

On Thursday, Syafiq showed that he earned his berth in the team bound for Egypt next month after a convincing win over top seed Addeen in the quarter-finals of the eighth leg of the Malaysian Tour Squash Circuit (SSJM).

The Kelantan player eliminated Addeen 11-9, 3-11, 11-9, 11-7 at the Royal Selangor Club. “Beating Addeen has made me feel better after I missed the chance to prove my worth at the trials,” said Syafiq.

“It wasn’t easy, though, as Addeen doesn’t give away cheap points ... I had to work hard in every rally.

Third seed Murrills made the semi-finals with an 11-3, 11-6, 11-7 win over Malaysian Bryan Lim In women’s event, the Malaysian trio of Teh Min Jie, Vanessa Raj and Rachel Arnold stayed on track for a first career title.