No comment: Lin Dan makes for the exit door after losing at Hong Kong Open
Chinese great refuses to be interviewed by reporters as a mouth-watering semi-final showdown against Lee Chong Wei fails to materialise at the Coliseum
China great Lin Dan went straight for the exit door after he was surprisingly defeated by compatriot Shi Yuqi in the men’s singles quarter-finals at the Yonex-Sunrise Hong Kong Open on Friday.
The two-time Olympic champion had been expected to set up a mouth-watering semi-final clash against old nemesis Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia but the showdown failed to materialise after the former Chinese number one lost 13-21, 21-17, 21-15 at the Coliseum
At the end of the hour-long match, Lin ignored a group of reporters who waited outside the mixed zone and despite interference from World Badminton Federation officials, he hurriedly left the venue without saying a word, only stopping to sign autographs with fans waiting outside. Lin faces punishment for refusing to give out interviews and setting a good example.
Had Lin Dan won, he would have set up a 38th encounter against Lee with the mainlander holding a head-to-head 26-11 lead.
Lee was waiting in the wings, expecting Lin Dan to be his next opponent after the Malaysian ace defeated South Korea’s Son Wan-ho, second seed, 21-11, 21-12 in his quarter-final.
“It’s not only me who expects me to clash against Lin again, I think the entire badminton community was expecting it, too,” said Lee. In the end, the 35 year-old Lee will meet Shi, who the Malaysian thrashed 21-12, 21-10 at the All England final in March.