Denmark Open: Chong Wei downs Jorgensen for final date with Pengyu

World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei broke the hearts of the home fans when he snuffed out the fire of the last Dane standing – Jan O Jorgensen – in the semi-finals of the Denmark Open yesterday.
Chong Wei lived up to top billing with a classy 22-20, 21-15 win over Jorgensen in 45 minutes to set up a showdown with surprise finalist Du Pengyu of China.
Pengyu defeated his more illustrious compatriot Chen Long 21-14, 21-10.
Chong Wei, who turns 30 today, gave Jorgensen credit for putting up a spirited fight.
“Jorgensen really lifted his game in the opening match and played confidently at the net.
“I had to step up a gear to overcome his strong challenge,” said Chong Wei.
“He was fired up because of the home crowd and he was the last Dane standing (Mathias Boe-Carsten Mogensen had lost to Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong in an earlier match).
“He, however, could not last the pace and I’m happy with the good ending.”
Chong Wei is thrilled to make the final for the second year in a row but this time, he is determined to nail it. He lost to Chen Long last year.
“I did not expect Pengyu to be in the final but maybe Chen Long is injured – I am not sure. But I will be ready for Pengyu,” he said.
“It will be my birthday and I hope to celebrate with a win.”
National coach Tey Seu Bock saw Chen Long’s defeat as a strategy by China to push their younger and least exposed player up the rankings.
Pengyu took just 39 minutes to upset second seed Chen Long.
“China can afford to bank on their younger players because they can still push their opponents – no matter who they are – to the limit. It speaks about their quality,” he said.
“Sometimes, they use their youngsters to step up and it gives them the room to rest their top players."
“We cannot do the same because our back-up players are still not up to that level although they have improved.”
Courtesy of The Star