End of a proud record

Lee Chong Wei’s reign as the undisputed Superseries Finals champion came to an abrupt end on Saturday after a close and exciting contest against Chen Long (below), on Saturday.

The Malaysian world No. 1, who was bidding to win the season-ending tournament for the fourth consecutive time, found the local hero too hot to handle and lost in three-games to exit the Li Ning BWF World Superseries Finals at the semi-final stage.

It was Chong Wei’s fourth defeat in nine meetings against Chen Long, but more significantly, it was his third loss to the former world junior champion since September.

The Chinese shuttler has certainly picked the right time to find a way to beat Chong Wei with the Olympics just eight months away and the race to be the top seed for the London Games now wide open after the latter’s latest loss.

Although Chong Wei (right), should retain his top ranking until the end of the year, two major tournaments in the first half of January – Korea and Malaysia Opens – means the All England champion would need to bounce back strongly or he could lost his coveted position at the top of the rankings by February.

The 21-16, 16-21, 21-18 victory will certainly boost Chen Long’s confidence going into Sunday’s final where he will meet four-time world champion Lin Dan, a player he has yet to beat in three attempts.

After a humiliating opening round defeat at the World Championships to Guatemala’s Kevin Cordon, Chen Long has returned stronger and fitter and won three consecutive OSIM BWF World Superseries tournaments in China, Japan and Denmark.

He and Lin Dan (left), are the only two players to beat Chong Wei this season and he has since risen to No. 3 in the world standings.

Against Chong Wei on Saturday, the Chinese shuttler was the more aggressive player and had 24 smash winners.

Even when he was trailing, he never gave up and from 14-10 down in the opening game, won 11 of the next 13 points to stun Chong Wei.

Chong Wei controlled the tempo of the second game and dominated the net which gave him the advantage. Having learnt his mistake from the opening game, he never let up when he was in the lead and squared the match with a 21-16 victory.

Backed by a partisan home crowd, Chen Long came out firing on all cylinders in the decider to take the first three points.

It was a lead he never squandered and while Chong Wei finally drew level at 18-18 that was the best he could do as Chen Long took the final three points to end the 80-minute contest and gain an important psychological victory.

Lin Dan, meanwhile, was always in control against Danish veteran Peter Gade (right), a player he hugely respects, but one he has always had the winning edge over.

It was no different this time round as the reigning Olympic champion scored a 21-12, 21-15 victory in 41 minutes for his 16^th career win from 19 meetings against Gade.