World Championships: Lee sets up last four clash with Chen Jin, says may retire after Olympics

Malaysia's World No. 1, Lee Chong Wei moved closer to his ambition of becoming the first Malaysian to win a world badminton title — and then said he may retire after next year's London Olympics.
Lee reached the semi-finals by beating Kevin Cordon of Guatemala 21-7, 21-13 at the Wembley Arena, which is serving as a test event for the 2012 London Games.
"So far I think I am in top form," Lee said. "But I may retire after the Olympics. It will depend on my fitness and injuries."
Cordon, who eliminated fifth-seeded Chen Long of China earlier in the tournament, led 9-8 in the second game and got the fans behind him. But Lee won five straight points to take control.

Victory wave or 'sayonara'? Malaysia Lee Chong Wei had an easy win over in the quater finals of the World Badminton Championship in Wembley London on Friday night. Lee says he may say 'sayonara' after the olympics. - STARPIC BY KAMARUL ARIFFIN

"I lost to the best player in the world, and it's difficult to play against him," Cordon said. "But this is my best tournament ever and it will help me to aim higher."
Lee's now plays Chen Jin, the sixth-seeded defending world champion from China, who beat Hans-Kristian Vittinghus, the unseeded Dane, 21-17, 21-13.
Lee's closest rival, Lin Dan, the Olympic champion and three-time former world champion from China, also reached the semi-finals. He did so with a 21-14, 21-16 revenge win over Sho Sasaki, the 11th-seeded Japanese player, bringing closer the prospect of a dream final between Lee and Lin.
Sasaki beat Lin in the Indonesian Super Series in Jakarta in June, when Lin claimed he was sick.
"I was really focused to win this time," Lin said.
Lin next plays Peter Gade Christensen, the 34-year-old former world No. 1 from Denmark who needed one hour and 23 minutes to beat seventh-seeded Tien Minh Nguyen of Vietnam, 17-21, 21-19, 21-13.
In the women's section No. 1-ranked Wang Shixian missed out on a world championship medal when she lost in the quarterfinals to Cheng Shao Chieh of Taiwan at the Wembley Arena on Friday.
Wang lost 21-16, 21-17 to Cheng, a tattooed extrovert with dyed blonde hair and an aggressive attitude.
"I get bored and need to have a new look, so maybe she didn't know who I am and thinks I am a new player," Cheng joked.
Cheng beat Wang at the Indonesian Super Series in Jakarta in June, and played as though confident of repeating it, pressuring the favourite relentlessly in the same arena where the Olympic badminton tournament will be played next year.
Cheng's only setback came when she spent time wiping sweat from her brow, and was penalized by the umpire with a yellow card for taking too long.
Cheng will face Juliane Schenk of Germany in the semifinals. Schenk beat Tine Baun, the former No. 1 from Denmark, 21-9, 21-11.
"Tine wasn't at her best, but now everything is possible for me," said Schenk, only the third German to win a world championship medal.
Chong Wei is the only one left to carry Malaysia’s flag after the defeat of Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, the men’s doubles top seed, and the singles ace has vowed to go all out to reach his first-ever final.
Since a semi-final finish at the 2005 outing in Anaheim, the 29-year-old Chong Wei has failed to get past the quarter-finals in 2006 (Madrid), 2009 (Hyderabad) and 2010 (Paris). His worst result was a third round loss at the home tournament in 2007.
Chong Wei was also quick to shower praise on the 24-year-old Cordon, who has shown marked improvement since losing to the Malaysian in the opening round in Paris last year.
“I don’t even remember having played against him in the world meet last year. He was insignificant then,” said Chong Wei.
“This time, there was a lot of focus on him, especially since he beat Chen Long (of China in the first round) and he seems more confident on court.
“He played well against me, especially in the second game, and I hope he will continue to make his country proud.”
Chong Wei said he would continue to stay focused and not put undue pressure on himself although he is the only Malaysian player left in the tournament.
“It is unfortunate that Koo and Tan crashed out. I came here with one mission – to win the world title – and I will try to achieve it,” he said.
The only Malaysian player to have reached the final of the world meet is Wong Choong Hann, who went down to China’s Xia Xuanze in Birmingham in 2003.
Courtesy of The Star