Jakarta: Malaysia badminton superstar Lee Chong Wei edged closer to his sixth Indonesian Open title and the world number one ranking after moving into the quarterfinals in Jakarta today.
The current world number two will wrest the top spot from China’s Chen Long who is not competing in the tournament, if he moves into the final, while his path to the title also looks clear since his arch rival Lin Dan of China was ousted in the second round by Jonathan Christie of Indonesia.
Lee Chong Wei, eyeing the country’s and his first gold medal in the Rio Olympics in August, has 88,953 points, just 3,241 points behind Chen Long but winning the title would give Chong Wei 11,000 points and propel him to world number one.
In today’s match, Lee took just 31 minutes to sweep past Hong Kong’s Angus Ng Ka Long Angus 21-10, 21-13 and set up an exciting clash against China’s rising star Wang Zhengming at Istora Senayan, on Friday.
Meanwhile, Malaysia’s top men’s doubles pair Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong edged compatriots Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong 22-20, 22-20 in an all-Malaysian second round encounter.
The duo face China’s Chai Biao/Hong Wei in the quarterfinal.
Top Malaysian women’s doubles pair Vivian Hoo/Woon Khe Wei also moved in the quarterfinals after beating Indonesia’s Nitya Krishinda Maheswari/Greysia Polii 21-17, 21-19.
Hoo/Woon are scheduled to meet another Indonesian pair Anggia Shitta Awanda/Ni Ketut Mahadewi Istirani.
— Bernama
