Intriguing clash on the cards when Chong Wei takes on Zulfadli
PETALING JAYA: One is currently the only shining star in the men’s singles event. The other has the talent to shine.
So, expect an intriguing battle when the world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei takes on youngster Zulfadli Zulkifli in the opening match of the Perak Open badminton championships in Ipoh from Dec 16-19.
In the draw released yesterday, Chong Wei and Zulfadli have been given first round byes and are expected to square off in the second round.
The Perak Open is an important platform for Chong Wei to confirm his place in the National Grand Prix Finals – especially after he had missed the opening leg in Kedah in July due to his busy international schedule this year.
The GP Finals will be held in Kuala Terengganu from Feb 16-19.
Chong Wei has been the indisputable king of the local circuit for the last eight years and surely he will not want to miss the Finals.
Chong Wei has been there and done that, but the Asian Junior semi-finalist Zulfadli, still has a lot to prove – especially after joining Kuala Lumpur this year.
The others in the same half with top seed Chong Wei and Zulfadli are Chan Kwong Beng, Tan Chun Seang, Mohd Arif Abdul Latif and Misbun Ramdan Misbun.
Second seed Mohd Hafiz Hashim is in the lower half with Liew Daren, Chong Wei Feng and World Junior Championships runner-up Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin.
Malaysia’s top doubles pair of Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong have also confirmed their participation in the local tournament but they will compete with different partners.
Kien Keat will pair up with Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif while Boon Heong will combine with his world junior partner Thien How once again in Perak.
Meanwhile, there has been an overwhelming response to the men’s singles event in Division Two, with 93 confirmed participation.
It is hoped that a handful of new talents will be unearthed during the four-day tournament, especially in the men’s singles department.
CREDITS TO THE STAR ONLINE
biar betol.... boleh menjadi ke ni.... :re:
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