RP Open-bound Lee shocks Lin Dan in Sudirman Cup


World No. 4 Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia showed his readiness for the 2007 Bingo Bonanza Philippine Open, essaying a stirring straight-set upset victory over world No. 1 Lin Dan of China as action in the Sudirman Cup heats up in Glasgow, Scotland Thursday.

Although Malaysia succumbed to China, 1-4, in Division I, Group A, Lee’s 21-17, 21-17 victory underscored the form he would be dishing out in the upcoming RP Open slated July 18-22 at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City, Metro Manila.

Lee, the former world No. 1 who has dropped to No. 4, will spearhead the crack Malaysian contingent in the Philippine Open, which has so far lured 26 countries five weeks into the big event.

Aside from Malaysia and China, the other countries competing in the Bingo Bonanza Philippine Open are England, Wales, Slovenia, Russia, France, Switzerland, Canada, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Hong Kong, Portugal, USA, Indonesia, Germany, Malaysia, Taiwan, India, Greece, Austria, New Zealand, Czech Republic, Vietnam and Australia.

Back in the Sudirman Cup, China’s victory set it up against former champion Korea in Saturday’s highly-anticipated semifinals.

England reached the semis for the first time with a 4-1 win over Thailand in their final Division I, Group A match, arranging a showdown with 1989 champion Indonesia for a crack at the crown.

Winning it for China were Zheng Bo and Gao Ling, who beat Tan Wee Kiong and Woon Khe Wei, 21-15, 21-17, in the mixed doubles; and Olympic champion Zhang Ning, who trounced Anita Raj Kaur, 21-16, 21-10, in the women’s singles.

Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng put the result beyond doubt with a 21-9, 21-14 rout over Kien Keat Boo and Bon Heong Tan in the men’s doubles.

Lee will be joined in the RP Open by defending champion Roslin Hashim and brother Hafiz Hashim, ranked No. 12 in the world, No. 16 Kay Bin Yeon and No. 20 Tsuen Seng Lee in men’s singles and world No. 11 Mew Choo Wong and No. 24 Pei Xian Julia Wong in women’s singles.

Photos courtesy of Badminton World Federation (BWF) and
Badminton Planet (www.badmintonplanet.com)