KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 18 — World number one Datuk Lee Chong Wei easily cruised into the men’s singles semi-finals of the Hong Kong Open Badminton Championship after defeating Indian singles Ajay Jayaram in today’s quarter-finals.
Chong Wei only took 31 minutes to defeat Ajay, ranked 34th in the world, with 21-16, 21-13 in the championship worth US$250,000 (RM791,301).
However, Chong Wei is expected to face tough competition from his traditional enemy, Lin Dan, at the semi-finals tomorrow.
Lin Dan, who is 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medallist, booked the ticket to the semi-finals after defeating Shon Wan Ho from Korea, 21-15, 21-18 in just 40 minutes.
World number two, Chen Long from China, who defeated R.M.V Gurusaidutt from India 21-13, 23-21 also qualified to the semi-finals.
Chen Long will play against the winner of another quarter-final match between Peter Hoeg Gade from Denmark and Jin Chen from China.
