Badminton Asia Championship 2018: Lee Chong defeats Srikanth, Saina into Semis

India’s Kidambi Srikanth lost to the Malaysian star Lee Chong Wei and Saina Nehwal defeats Lee Chang Mi in the Quarters of the Badminton Asia Championship 2018 in Wuhan with 12-21, 15-21 and 21-15, 21-13 respectively.

CWG 2018 gold medallist Lee excelled well throughout the game comfortably as Srikanth played into former’s hand with series of unforced errors.   

Srikanth grabbed the early lead with 2-0 ad sooner Lee levelled the game with 2-2 and then at 3-3. Lee slowly cruised to lead the game with 10-4.

Srikanth’s too many errors opened doorway to Lee to break the breather with 11-4. Lee extended his lead with his agility at the net with 13-4 but couldn’t return the bird from Srikanth’s cross court deceptive hit to make the score 13-5.

While Lee was enjoying the game with his tranquility and positive spirit, Srikanth on the other side displaying his amazing cross court delivery skills, for which Lee should be worried about at 7-14. Lee cleared four quarters with, yet, another cracker to read the scoreline with 16-7 and then sealed the first game with 21-12.

After switching the sides, Lee grabbed the first point with 1-0 and Srikanth levelled the score with 1-1 with quite aggression. At 6-3, Srikanth made net error to his disappointment. Lee’s absolute expertise, controlling every element of the game and cruised to a 8-4 lead. Srikanth saved the crucial point at net with 9-5, where he could see a chance to recover in the game.

Srikanth’s unforced errors led Lee to gain huge led of 16-10. It was going to be a miracle comeback as Srikanth was doing well at the net when he saved a point at 15-19.

But it was the Malaysian, who with all his experience excelled, won the game and the match point with 21-15 to enter semi-finals match.

Lee will now lock the horns with Kento Momota of Japan in the next round on Saturday.

In the Women's Singles match, Saina just ousted the Korean girl comfortably, but will have tough match ahead in semis, likely, with the strongest Tai Tzu Ying - if she defeats He Bingjiao - in the Quarters.

The six-day long tournament will end on 29th April.