Sorry, Angus: Lee Chong Wei unable to help Hong Kong shuttler Ng in Dubai
The 23-year-old fails to qualify for the last four of the World Superseries finals after Malaysian great loses his final round-robin match
Hong Kong’s Angus Ng Ka-long failed to qualify for the semi-finals of the Dubai World Superseries finals after his wish was not granted in final round-robin matches on Friday night.
The 23-year-old rising badminton star was hoping Malaysian great Lee Chong Wei would do him a favour by beating South Korea’s former world No 1 Son Wan-ho but last month’s Hong Kong Open champion wasn’t able to achieve the desired result as Son won 13-21, 22-20, 21-15.
That result meant Ng finished third in group A behind group winner Lee with Son beating Ng for the coveted second spot on better games difference.
Lee, who thrashed Ng in straight games on Wednesday, started off well against the South Korean, but the Malaysian former world No 1 gradually succumbed to his fitter opponent, who completed a surprise victory in 75 minutes.
A day earlier, Ng defeated Son in three games in his second round-robin match and there was hope that Lee would help Ng’s cause as the Malaysian had the better head-to-head record (11-2) going into the match but it was not to be.
Meanwhile, China’s Shi Yuqi and Denmark’s world champion, Viktor Axelsen, qualified for Saturday’s semi-finals after winning their final round-robin matches. Shi defeated India’s Srikanth Kidambi 21-17, 19-21, 21-14, while Axelsen edged Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-16, 14-21, 21-15. Shi topped the group ahead of Axelsen.
The draw for the semi-finals was conducted and has Lee taking on Son again and Shi challenging Axelsen.