GUANGZHOU, Aug 12- Datuk Lee Chong Wei’s hopes of winning the World Championships suffered a second blow when he limped out of the final against Lin Dan of China, after suffering cramps while trailing 17-20 in the deciding set at the Tianhe Gymnasium, here, Sunday.
Chong Wei who won the first game 21-16, lost the second 13-21 before both players were engaged in a grueling third and deciding set.
Having lost the first final against Lin Dan in 2011 edition at the Wembley Arena in London, Chong Wei was looking eager to wipe out that bitter memory, and had in fact taken a 10-6 lead in the deciding set but allowed the defending champion to claw his way back to go into the break, leading 11-10.
From that moment onwards, Chong Wei never recovered and left trailing the Chinese star all the way until coming down with cramps when the score was 19-16.
Having momentarily recovered after receiving treatment at the court-side, Chong Wei came back to score a points but once Lin Dan reached 20, Chong Wei threw in the towel to indicate his decision to not continue.
Chong Wei’s coach Tey Seu Bock expressed disappointment with the conditions under which the players had to play the third and deciding set because the air-conditioning system failed to function.
“We are not offering any excuses for the loss but lack of air-conditioning will endanger the players…because a drop in oxygen level can be dangerous because it can cause breathing difficulties.
“In the third set Chong Wei had indicated to me that he was coming down with cramps but when he saw Lin Dan was also having difficulties, he decided to continue.
“As a coach I know that Chong Wei is a fighter and he will not concede a match without a fight. He had a long and tough match that was played late into the night while his opponent had a better rest as he had played six hours earlier. Chong Wei lacked rest as his match had only finished at 11pm,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lin Dan when met after the match said: “Both I and Chong Wei did a good job…it’s a pity he could not last until the end. When I was leading 19-16, he got cramps and it reminded me of training. From that point we were not opponents anymore.
“I really wanted to know how he was doing. I know Chong Wei didn’t want to give up. It’s a real pity. I have to thank him because opponents like him inspire me to give my all.”
– BERNAMA
