IT was a magical moment at the Wembley Arena yesterday but it did not belong to Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei.
Yesterday, China’s superstar Lin Dan shattered Chong Wei’s dream of becoming Malaysia’s first world champion when he came from behind twice in the decider to troop home with a sensational 20-22, 21-14, 23-21 win in an adrenaline-pumping, one-hour-and-22 minute men’s singles final.
The 29-year-old Chong Wei had held the upper hand at 16-12 and 20-18 in the decider in the dream final of the World Championships between the two greatest men’s singles players but luck deserted him at the crucial state.
And to add misery to his agonising defeat, Chong Wei, who put up a sombre face during the victory ceremony, rushed out with cramps on both his legs and was lying in a corner with tears in his eyes.
Dejected: Lee Chong Wei making a call back stage after his loss to Lin Dan in the final.It was truly a sad end for Chong Wei, who had been so convincing and confident in his play throughout the week, sparking a great hope for Malaysia to produce a first winner since the tournament’s inception in 1977.
On Saturday, he had reached his first final in his sixth attempt in the world meet to become only the second Malaysian after Wong Choong Hann to do so.
After a good rub-down, Chong Wei said that he was disappointed with the outcome but vowed to move forward – with his focus on next year’s Olympic Games.
“I had two chances to end the game but it did not happen for me ... Lin Dan took a great gamble at the crucial stage and I was quite unlucky,” said Chong Wei.
“I gave my all. This is my best and closest match against Lin Dan. It hurts to lose by two points in this manner.
“I may have lost to him but I showed that nothing much separates us. I made some mistakes today but I will be ready for him the next time.
“I am still happy with my achievement of reaching my first final here. It has been a good season. I have reached every final since the start of this year.
“I will shift my attention to the Olympic Games. It is 11 months away and I want to better prepared.
And he gave the Malaysian fans some good news: “I may have lost the opportunity to become the country’s first champion but I am coming back. I will be back in 2013 to get it right,” added Chong Wei, who left for home yesterday.
It started with three quick easy points for Chong Wei following Lin Dan’s unusual poor service return shots.
Then, the real battle began with Chong Wei and Lin Dan trying to outfox each other with their blistering pace, punishing smashes, unbelievable netplays and incredible retrieves.
The Malaysian stayed ahead to take a 20-18 lead but Lin Dan was always dangerously snapping at his heels. Lin Dan’s brilliance at the net saw him levelling at 20-20 but a quick recovery saw the Malaysian taking the first game at 22-20.
The second game went on in the same fashion but this time, Lin Dan dictated the pace until 11-9. A brief nervy spell by a slower Chong Wei saw Lin Dan taking a 17-10 lead and eventually forcing a rubber game with a 21-14 win.
Both came back recharged and determined to outdo each other and what a fight it was.
The decider was a thriller with both displaying class and quality but it was Lin Dan who had a better finish to nick his fourth world title to emerge as the world’s greatest player.
Badminton / World Championships: Chong Wei bows to Lin Dan again
Taken from NST OnlineLee Chong Wei of Malaysia returns a shot to Dan Lin of China during the men's singles final match of the World Badminton Championships at Wembley Arena in London, yesterday. - AFP
The disappointment that he must have been nursing was well masked but there were times during the press conference that Chong Wei looked like he would break down -- as he did during the medal presentation -- but there was also a steely resolve visible.
Having settled for second place for a third time after also losing to Lin Dan in the 2008 Olympics and last year's Asian Games, Chong Wei could have been forgiven for thinking that he is just not destined to win a major.
But yesterday's result, which saw him coming within a point of claiming the World Championships title at London's Wembley Arena before losing 22-20, 14-21, 23-21, has made the shuttler even more determined.
"I apologise to Malaysia for I know that the whole country was behind me. I tried my best but it was not to be and I hope that they will forgive me," said Chong Wei, who needed medical treatment for cramps and nausea after the 86-minute final.
It was a final that had everything as momentum swung from end to end but when it came to the crucial moments, it was Lin Dan who was the better.
"His quality is such that he refuses to give up. He came back when I led 16-14 in the rubber game and even when I held matchpoint at 20-19 and 21-20.
"He was willing to take risks and that was the difference as I tried to play safe. He is a great player but what makes me happy, despite the defeat, is that I have narrowed the gap with him and this can only mean good for me," said the World No 1.
The ranking, though, would stand for nothing if Chong Wei doesn't land a major before retiring and the 29-year-old said this is exactly what he plans to do.
"I have a good chance in next year's Olympics and I am going to try for the world title one more time. I have unfinished business in the World Championships and both these tournaments will be what I will focus on from now on."
The World Championships will not be contested next year but Chong Wei said he will immediately start preparing for the Olympics, which are in less than a year's time.
"I will need help from all quarters, especially as we can be sure that China will unleash all their players from now on. I don't only have to worry about Lin Dan but also Chen Jin, Chen Long and Du Pengyu. There are also the rest of the nations to worry about and my programme must cater for all these."
On current form, it does seem like Lin Dan is the only player capable of stopping Chong Wei from winning Olympic gold but the Malaysian said he had been boosted by his performance yesterday.
"Lin Dan won the title and was the better player during the crucial moments but I was not too far behind. Nothing much separates us and victory is always going to go to the player who performs better on matchday.
"I had my chances but didn't take them while he did but this is not the end for I will continue trying to deliver what Malaysia wants."
RESULTS
All FINALS :—
Men’s singles: Lin Dan (Chn) bt Lee Chong Wei (Mas) 20-22, 21-14, 23-21.
Doubles: Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng (Chn) bt Ko Sung Hyun-Yoo Yeon Seong (Kor) 24-22 21-16.
Women’s singles: Wang Yihan (Chn) bt Cheng Shao Chieh (Tai) 21-15, 21-10.
Doubles: Wang Xiaoli-Yu Yang (Chn) bt Tian Qing-Zhao Yunlei (Chn) 22-20, 21-11.
Mixed doubles: Zhang Nan-Zhao Yunlei (Chi) bt Chris Adcock (Eng)-Imogen Bankier (Sco) 21-15, 21-7
