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Prepare for a ruthless Chong Wei

Lee Chong Wei will not make life easy for China’s Chen Long or Chen Jin in future meetings.
Lee Chong Wei will not make life easy for China’s Chen Long or Chen Jin in future meetings.
CHINA'S shuttlers will go full throttle to deny Lee Chong Wei the Olympic gold but national singles coach Tey Seu Bock is optimistic the World No 1 will not allow his rivals to dictate terms anymore. The first indication came in the Japan Open final where China's Lin Dan, the leader of the pack, handed compatriot Chen Long a walkover in the semis so he would be fresh to battle Chong Wei in the final and it paid off. However, Seu Bock said the result will only motivate Chong Wei to be ruthless in future meetings against Chen Long or Chen Jin. The Lin Dan-Chong Wei rivalry is expected to be intense as usual but Seu Bock expects his charge to prove his superiority in coming tournaments.

"Chong Wei is well aware of what China are doing and he is strong enough to disrupt their plan. They will be on a three-pronged attack all the way to the Olympics but Chong Wei is not going to allow Chen Long or Chen Jin to gain a psychological edge," said Seu Bock.

"He has done it well so far and just one defeat will not turn things around for Chen Long. The next time Chong Wei plays Chen Long, he is not going to let him settle at all and will go for a comprehensive win.
"It is the same with Chen Jin and this will only leave China to depend on Lin Dan. China can have three in the Olympics but the fact remains only Lin Dan has the confidence and track record against Chong Wei.

"It is becoming increasingly close between the top two players and this is why China are panicking. It will only make Chong Wei more confident."

Seu Bock added: "It's still a long way to the Olympics and Chong Wei should be maintaining his form now and peak at the right time which is London next year.

"We will not be alarmed if he doesn't win the Denmark Open or the French Open next month. Chong Wei has made the final of all the tournaments he has competed in so far and he could do it again in Europe. There is no pressure on him to win.

"However, Chong Wei will not make life easy for Chen Long or Chen Jin if they think they have made a breakthrough in Japan. If the duo are not doing well, the pressure will be on Lin Dan and things will be easier for us again."

Chong Wei will not lose any world ranking points if he fails to win in Denmark and France as he skipped the events last year but the European legs will be very important for China.

This is because of their ambition to have three players in the top four to confirm maximum berths in the Olympics and so far, Chen Jin is still off the pace at No 6.

Lin Dan is second while Chen Long, who is at No 3, must also consistently make it to the finals of the Super Series to ensure he remains in the top four.

Chong Wei doesn't have to worry about the math as he has a healthy lead at the top and must only stay focused on his objective of striking gold in London.

Read more: NST

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