Chong Wei bows out of World Super Series finals in Dubai

National badminton ace, Datuk Lee Chong Wei suffered a shock defeat to Denmark's Viktor Axelsen in the final Group B fixture at the World Super Series Finals in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), tonight.

The 21-14, 14-21, 19-21 loss to Axelsen prevented the world number one from advancing to the semi-finals of the tournament.

Axelsen and South Korea's Son Wan Ho reached the semi-final after finishing in the top two spots after three group matches, said the Badminton World Federation's (BWF) website at www.bwfbadminton.org.

The Penangite lost to Son in the first game in straight sets, 10-21, 16-21, before beating Angus Ng Ka Long of Hong Kong, 21-15, 22-20 in the second match.

Chong Wei,34, has won the World Super Series four times, namely in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2013.

Meanwhile, second-seeded men's doubles pair Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong qualified for the semi-final on Thursday after defeating Li Junhui-Liu Yuchen of China, as they had earned a a walkover in the first Group B match when Denmark's doubles pair Mathias Boe-Carsten Mogensen withdrew from the tournament.

The duo finished the group stage emphatically, beating Biao Chai-Wei Hong of Hong Kong, 16-21, 21-13, 22-20 in the third group match tonight. -- BERNAMA