A MINOR back injury might have provided Lee Chong Wei with the answer to overcome the stumbling block that is Lin Dan in the World Championship in six week’s time.
STILL ON TOP: Chong Wei won his match despite not being 100 per cent fit — BERNAMApic
Since injuring his back in the first round of the RM425,000 Malaysia Open Grand Prix Gold 2009, the world No 1 has become more aggressive on the court as he wants to finish off his opponents as quickly as possible.
It is this new style which could prove to be Chong Wei’s special weapon as he seeks his first world title and he knows his nemesis, Lin Dan, will still be the favourite.
“I suffered the injury on Wednesday and ever since then, I have been undergoing physiotherapy. It could be a blessing in disguise as I had to play more aggressively as I could not afford to spend too much time on the court,” said Chong Wei, whose best effort in the World Championships came in 2005 when he won a bronze medal.
“I’m determined to enter this year’s World Championship final and if I can, would love to win the title. Lin Dan is still my main threat but I can’t take anyone else for granted as that would be foolish.”
Asked if he will continue with his new style, which saw him crush all his opponents in straight games, Chong Wei just smiled and said: “I can’t reveal that now. I don’t normally attack too much, but I think it is quite an effective weapon to have.”
Yesterday’s win also made up for his shock defeat to Chen Long at the India Open in March when he was suffering from food poisoning and it also marked the first time Chong Wei has won back-to-back international titles.
He won the Indonesia Open last week. Lin Dan, who defeated Chong Wei in last year’s Beijing Olympics, may have dropped to No 3 in the world rankings, but he still remains the player to beat.
Chong Wei’s coach Datuk Misbun Sidek said his protégé is on track for Hyderabad, saying: “Chong Wei showed that despite not being 100 per cent fit, he can still win matches. This will boost his confidence for the World Championships. We have six weeks to prepare for Hyderabad and I’m confident he will be in tip top condition.”
Chong Wei took home US$9,000 (RM31,800) while Chen Long, who upset second seed Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia in the first round, walked away with US$4,560 (RM16,100) for finishing second.
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