KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Lee Chong Wei has proven that he is still the best possible example for the country’s young and upcoming players and what’s more important, he has not lost his fangs which are still as sharp as ever.
After a period of battling to return to form because of erratic performances which resulted in him losing confidence when facing opponents, Chong Wei has made a successful return to top form.
Yesterday (Sunday), he proved that he remains a top challenger and contender in the men’s singles category when he fought to the very end against a much younger player in World champion Viktor Axelsen of Denmark in the men’s singles final of the Super Series Final in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Even though he lost, 21-19, 19-21, 15-21, Chong Wei, 35, managed to garner worldwide attention especially in the second game which saw him clawing his way back despite being far behind, levelling the the score before a mistake allowed Axelsen to go for the win and drag the match to a third, deciding game.
“In the second set, Viktor left my behind with quite a gap in points but I managed to level the score at 19-19. However, after that I made a mistake when serving and he capitalised on it to win the game and drag the match on to the third, deciding game.
“Viktor played very well and he is also quite young. He plays a fast game and likes to attack all throughout the match,” said Chong Wei.
The loss sees Chong Wei, who is also the World No. 2, fail in his mission to win a fifth Super Series title after winning in 2008 (Kota Kinabalu), 2009 (Johor Bahru), 2010 (Taiwan), and 2013 (Kuala Lumpur).
Meanwhile, national coach, Datuk Tey Seu Bock who accompanied Chong Wei to Dubai, said that the country’s number one player has already given his best effort and credit should go to Viktor for seizing the opportunity by capitalising on his physical superiority to win the match.
“Chong Wei has already given his very best. Both players actually played very well and showed a lot of patience. Who made the least amount of mistakes and was more patient won the match.
“From a physical aspect, Viktor had the obvious edge and he used it to his advantage,” said Seu Bock.
Chong Wei ends 2017 with two titles and three runners-up spots. He won the All England and Hong Kong Open, while coming in as runner-up at the Malaysian Open, Japan Open and Super Series Final.
The three time Olympic silver medalist will be taking a break before returning to court to help the national squad compete at the Asia Team Championship in Kedah in February which is also qualifying for next year’s Thomas Cup.