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| Badminton / Malaysia Open: Chong Wei to battle Chen Long Posted: 21 Jan 2011 04:06 PM PST Badminton / Malaysia Open: Chong Wei to battle Chen Long2011/01/22  Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif (back) and Hoon Thien How in action against Japan's Naoki Kawamae and Shoji Sato in the semi-finals yesterday. Zakry-Thien How lost 21-15, 21-19. The Olympic champion from China ace succumbed to an injury before even stepping into court in the Proton Malaysia Open at Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday. Chong Wei, on the other hand, secured a leisurely 21-15, 21-16 win over Nguyen Tien Minh of Vietnam in 40 minutes to advance to the semi-finals.
Lin Dan conceded a walkover to Chen Long of China in the quarter-finals, much to the disappointment of the fans. Tournament referee Jane Wheatley confirmed Lin Dan suffered a left abdominal muscle injury during warm-up before a practice session yesterday morning.
"She had also asked him to seek physiotherapy to avoid aggravating the injury." However, Chong Wei was as composed as ever and said his aim is to win the title but it doesn't make it any easier even if Lin Dan will not be there to stop him.
"I will be playing against Chen Long who is also a good player and I will be wary of him." Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia has already stated that the Badminton World Federation (BWF) must take action against Lin Dan as this is not the first time he has withdrawn from an event to let his compatriot through. "BWF has set additional rules but it can't do much if the player refuses to play. The onus is the player to compete," said Chong Wei. "We are not sure because he was said to be injured and we don't know what China's strategy is behind this." Lin Dan's coach Xia Xuanze said that despite the injury, Lin Dan will play in the Korea Open next week. "Lin Dan wil go to Korea. It is the same injury suffered during the Hong Kong Open and the Asian Games (in Guangzhou in November)," said Xuanze. "A lot will depend on how fast he recovers." Meanwhile, Taufik secured his berth in the semi-final by easily defeating Kenichi Tago of Japan 21-15, 21-15. He will meet compatriot Simon Santoso, who defeated fellow Indonesian Alamsyah Yunus 21-19, 21-9, the last four today. |
| Badminton / Malaysia Open: Taufik: I will still be Indonesia's No 1 Posted: 21 Jan 2011 04:04 PM PST  Indonesia's Taufik Hidayat beat Japan's Kenichi Tago 21-15, 21-15 in their match yesterday. — Picture by Osman Adnan Taufik believes he will remain the No 1 player for Indonesia until he retires and was critical of the Indonesia BA (PBSI) for not doing much to change the scenario. "I would love to see young players replacing me but it is not going to happen. In another two years, I will still be around and will still be my country's No 1," said Taufik.
"Alamsyah was dropped by PBSI and he has been with me as a sparring partner for two years and has reached the quarter-finals of the Malaysia Open. "The other shuttlers with PBSI are still struggling. I am glad that Alamsyah gained by being my sparring partner and is doing well. This is not going to make PBSI look good."
Sony Dwi Kuncoro and Simon are among the few who remained loyal but they have not been showing much progress of late. Taufik is already past his prime but he will probably be the country's only hope in major events as long as he decides to continue playing. |
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