Chong Wei must beat Axelsen to stay in contention for fifth Super Series Final title

World number one Datuk Lee Chong Wei must beat Denmark's Viktor Axelsen in a do-or-die battle to make it to the semifinals of the Dubai Super Series Final, tomorrow.

Chong Wei, 34, who beat Angus Ng Ka Long from Hong Kong 21-15, 22-20 in a Group B match today at the Hamdan Sports Complex must beat his Danish opponent since he had already lost his first group match to Son Wan Ho of South Korea.

Though Chong Wei has not lost to Axelsen in their nine previous meetings, the Danish player had managed to take Wan Ho to three sets compared to Chong Wei who lost 10-21, 16-21 in straight sets according to the www.bwfbadminton.org.

Axelsen had also beaten Angus 21-13 21-17 in straight sets yesterday and the second place from the group will be a toss between Chong Wei and Axelsen since Wan Ho has already qualified by virtue of his two wins over his Malaysian and Danish opponents.

Chong Wei who has won the Super Series Final four times before in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2013 is looking for his fifth title in Dubai.

Meanwhile, Rio de Janeiro Olympics silver medallists Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong moved into the semifinals after a mammoth battle against China's Li Junhui/Liu Yuchen which lasted for more than an hour before emerging with a 18-21, 21-19, 21-19 victory.

V Shem/Wee Kiong had earned a free passage in their first Group B match since Danish pair Mathias Boe/Carsten Mogensen had withdrawn from the competition.

The women's challenge in the competition however, ended when Vivian Hoo/Woon Khe Wei lost 19-21, 17-21 in straight sets to Jung Kyung Eun/Shin Seung Chan from South Korea.

The duo had already lost their first group match against Denmark's Kamilla Rytter Juhl/Christinna Pedersen yesterday. - BERNAMA