*Malaysian ace stays on course for first world title
* Five-time champion Lin Dan crushed
* Women’s doubles challenge comes to an end
Former World No 1 Datuk Lee Chong Wei – chasing his elusive world title – stayed on course after knocking out 13th seed Hu Yun of Hong Kong in the quarter-final with a 21-12, 21-18 win in 35 minutes at the Istora Senayan Stadium in Jakarta on Friday.
The much talked and expected talk of a Chong Wei-Lin Dan showdown in the semi-finals disappeared into thin air when the five-time world champion was crushed by second seed Jan O Jorgensen of Denmark.
Jorgensen registered a surprise straight set 21-12, 21-15 win over the Chinese ace in a 37 minute match.
The statistics favour the Malaysian who goes into the semi-final with an impressive 12-1 lead in his head to head count against the Dane whose only victory was achieved at the China Superseries in 2009 when Jorgensen won in three sets.
Chong Wei’s last win over Jorgensen was also a three-set thriller during the Thomas Cup Finals in New Delhi last year. Chong Wei won 20-22, 21-14, 21-17.
“If you noticed it was different Hu Yun…he was more aggressive. I saw him play (K) Srikanth and won against the third seed with speed and aggressive play. I discussed my match strategies with my coaches (Morten Frost) and Hendrawan,” said Chong Wei after his win.
“It was my best match and I hope to ride on this win (against Hu Yun) to face Jorgensen. The Dane has been impressive too and his win lover Lin Dan speaks of his form.”
Top seed Chen Long was taken to a marathon match before prevailing 21-18, 30-29 against Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen in 65 minutes to set up a semi-final clash against Japan’s rising star Kento Momota (fourth seed) who packed off Hong Kong’s Wei Nan with a 21-6, 21-14 win in 37 minutes.
In the battle of the champions Asian Games gold medallists Nitya Krishinda Maheswari-Greysia Polii of Indonesia advanced to the semi-finals with a 21-11, 21-11 win over Sea Games champions Amelia Alicia Anscelly-Soong Fie Cho of Malaysia in 38 minutes.
SELECTED QUARTER-FINAL RESULTS
SINGLES
Men
Chen Long (Chn) beat Viktor Axelsen (Den) 21-18, 30-29
Datuk Lee Chong Wei (Mas) beat Hu Yun (Hkg) 21-12, 21-18
Kento Momota (Jpn) beat Wei Nan (Hkg) 21-6, 21-14
Jan O Jorgensen (Den) beat Lin Dan (Chn) 21-12, 21-15
Women
Saina Nehwal (Ind) beat Wang Yihan (Chn) 21-15, 19-21, 21-19
Carolina Marin (Spn) beat Wang Shixian (Chn) 21-17, 21-19
Sung Ji Hyun (Kor) beat P.V. Sindhu (Ind) 21-17, 19-21, 21-16
Lindaweni Fanetri (Ina) beat Tai Tzu Ying (Tpe) 14-21, 22-20, 21-12
Women’s Doubles
Nitya Krishinda Maheswari-Greysia Polii (Ina) beat Amelia Alicia Anscelly-Soong Fie Cho (Mas) 21-11, 21-11
