Chong Wei moves closer to bag fifth title of season

Former world number one men's singles shuttler Datuk Lee Chong Wei is edging closer to claim his fifth and third Super Series title of the season after advancing to the final of the Hong Kong Open Super Series Badminton Tournament held at the Hong Kong Coliseum, Saturday.

The national badminton ace who earned a hard-fought, rubber set win against his arch rival, Chen Long of China yesterday was however, pushed to the limit in the first set before regaining his composure to chalk up a 21-19, 21-14 win against homester, Angus Ng Ka Long in a 45-minute semifinal match.

Chong Wei will meet Tian Houwei of China after the unseeded Chinese shuttler bounced back from a set down before defeating Anthony Ginting of Indonesia, winning 18-21, 21-11, 21-6 in another semifinal.

The 33-year-old Penangite has won the Hong Kong Open thrice -- 2009, 2010 and 2013.

For the record, Chong Wei has won back-to back the United States Open and Canadian Open Grand Prix, both in June besides two major tournaments – the French Open Super Series last month and also the China Open Super Series Premier Tournament last week after serving an eight-month suspension for a doping offence.