(CHANGING HEADING)
LONDON, Aug 2 (Bernama) -- World number two Datuk Lee Chong Wei advanced to
the semifinals of the men''s singles badminton competition of the 2012 Olympics
after beating Kashyap Parupali from India in the quarterfinal at the Wembley
Arena here Thursday.
He will battle Chen Long of China in the semifinals.
The Malaysian, the silver medallist at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, beat
the Indian 21-19, 21-11 in 47 minutes.
In the first set, Chong Wei, who did not play any competitive matches for
nearly two month due to an injury during the Thomas Cup tournament in China in
May, initially trailed Parupali 3-6, 5-9, 6-10, 10-14.
After levelling the score at 15-15, Chong Wei went on to win the set in
21-19 in 27 minutes.
In the second set, he gave Parupali little quarter and wrapped up the set
21-11 in 17 minutes to book his semifinal berth.
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OLYMPIC-BADMINTON (MEN''S SINGLES) 2 LONDON
Chong Wei said after three matches in the London Olympics badminton
competition, against Ville Lang of Finland (Group A play) and Simon Santoso of
Indonesia (third round elimination), today''s match against Parupali really
pressured him.
"He''s good. He tried to break my rhthym which forced me to make unforced
errors. If I had followed his temperament, he would have beaten me," said Chong
Wei after the match.
In another quarterfinal match, Chen Long beat Peter Gade of Denmark 21-16,
21-13.
On his match with the Great Wall shutler, Chong Wei said Cheng Long was
known for his aggresive but long rally play.
"I must be prepared to change my temperament. Cheng Long is currently world
number three, one rung below me," he said.
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OLYMPIC-BADMINTON (MEN''S SINGLES) 3 (LAST) LONDON
Their head-to-head record is 6:4, in favour of the Malaysian.
In their last meeting during the 2012 Malaysia Open in January, Chong Wei
beat Chen Long in a three setter, prevailing in 21-18, 17-21, 21-13.
National coach Rashid Sidek said as Chen Long was expected to play a long
rally game in tomorrow''s semifinals, Chong Wei should use his speed to cut the
opponent''d rhythm.
"The Chinese have changed their tactical movements, from fast and attacking
mode into long rally mode. Theat''s where Chong Wei should be alert because they
just wait for the right time to kill the bird (shuttlecock)," he said.
-- BERNAMA
ZAS ZAS HA