Former world number one Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia and current world number one Chen Long of China will meet for the 23rd time in their careers when they face each other in the Hong Kong Open quarter-finals on Friday.
The unseeded Lee, who is contesting for his third Superseries title of the season and his 41st overall, continued his impressive progress in the men’s second round by sweeping aside German Marc Zwiebler 21-12, 21-12 in 38 minutes.
Top seed Chen Long was taken to a third set by Thailand’s Boonsak Ponsana before sealing a 19-21, 21-8, 21-13 victory in 58 minutes of the Hong Kong Open men’s second round. This was the tenth time the two players have met and the closest the 33-year-old Ponsana has come to a win over the world number one since his two victories against Chen in 2010.
Lee, who shattered Chen’s dream of a third China Open title in last week’s final, will surely be given a tough match by Chen, who is seeking revenge for his defeat. The highly-anticipated showdown has already generated considerable excitement in badminton circles.
Lin Dan Suffers Shock Defeat
Having narrowly averted a first round exit on Wednesday, two-time Olympic champion and number three seed Lin Dan slumped to a stunning two-set defeat against Angus Ng Ka Long of China on Thursday, losing 8-21, 18-21 in 33 minutes.
Another Malaysian men’s shuttler Chong Wei Feng bowed out of the tournament after he was defeated by Wang Zhengming of China 21-12, 21-14. Wang will play compatriot Tian Houwei for a spot in the semi-finals.
Men’s Doubles Results
In men’s doubles, Malaysian pair Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong maintained their undefeated record against the 2014 world champions Ko Sung Hyun/Shin Baek Choel of Korea, winning 22-20, 21-18 in 32 minutes. Goh/Tan will take on number six seeds Chai Biao/Hong Wei on Friday. Chai and Hong were taken to the limit before coming through for a 21-17, 21-23, 21-16 victory over former world number one Malaysians Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong on Thursday.
Women’s Singles Progress
In women’s singles, top seed Carolina Marin advanced to the quarter-finals despite suffering an injury scare on her way to a one-sided 21-19, 21-8 win over 18-year-old Akane Yamaguchi. Marin will face Porntip Buranaprasertsuk of Thailand next. Number three seed Sung Ji Hyun of Korea and number eight seed Wang Yihan will take on each other for a spot in the women’s semi-final.