Olympics-Lee shrugs off heartbreak to defeat nemesis Lin

Rio de Janeiro, Aug 18 (IANS): The highly-anticipated semifinal between China’s Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia will take place on Friday as the two badminton icons defeated their opponents respectively in men’s singles quarterfinals here at the Rio Olympics.

Lee got off to a shaky start in the first set, trailing Lin Dan from the beginning and finally losing the set 15-21. After beating Lee in two straight gold medal matches and with Lee retiring after the Olympics, Lin knew that Lee was going to want revenge more than ever.

He returned to the world number one spot but few thought he would be able to beat Lin in the Chinese player’s Olympic stronghold.

“It was hard for me because the audience were cheering for the Indian player”, Lin told reporters.

“But at 11-8 I just focused on winning. I had no other thoughts”.

The 32-year-old left-hander waited like a hawk in numerous rallies, showing great defensive awareness, before unleashing a number of frightening smashes when Wei dropped short with his lobs.

Earlier in men’s singles Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia overcame two-time Olympic champion Lin Dan of China to advance to the finals against a younger Chinese star, Chen Long.

“The pressure must decrease as my teammates were playing good after the long-time hard-working preparation, I felt happy for them”.

Lin Dan, who took the first point of the set, looked outstanding as he took the lead 11-6, forcing Lee to make several errors along the way.

The 33-year-old Malaysian has fought his way back to the top of the rankings after returning from a doping ban last year and is taking a final shot at Olympic glory in Rio.

Lee tested positive for a forbidden anti-inflammatory drug at the 2014 world championships and many feared it would end his career.

Chong Wei will play the victor of the semi-final between China’s Chen Long and Viktor Axelsen of Denmark in Saturday’s final.

But Lee has notably triumphed in the previous two meetings – both in the semi-finals of last November’s China Open and of this year’s Asia Championships.

“I made many mistakes in the first set and Lin Dan gave up in the second before both went all out in the decider”, said the world number one.