Lee gives his fans their money’s worth

SINGAPORE — Such is the drawing power of world No 1 Lee Chong Wei, that it took only the emcee’s announcement of his OUE Singapore Open match last night to spark a migration of spectators — to the amused chuckles of many in the 3,300-strong crowd at the Singapore Indoor Stadium — to court 3, where the Malaysian badminton king was set to hold court in his first-round encounter against Hong Kong’s Wei Nan.

Many had come to watch Lee embark on his hunt for his first Singapore Open title since 2008. And they did not leave disappointed, as the 31-year-old entertained fans with a repertoire of jumping smashes and deft drop shots throughout his 40-minute match with men’s singles qualifier Wei.

Despite powering to a 18-12 lead in the first game, Lee — winner of the Malaysia, All England and India Opens this year — found himself with a fight on his hands as the Hong Kong world No 43 put in five consecutive points to close the gap to 18-17. But Lee held on for a 21-17 victory, before clinching the next game and match 21-15.

Lee, a two-time Olympic Games silver medallist who had announced this week that he would set aside his retirement plans to compete at the 2016 Rio Olympics, said later that his three-year absence from the Singapore Open meant that it took him a while to get used to the venue conditions. “The draft was very strong and took some getting used to because I have not been here for many years and I made a lot of basic mistakes,” he said.

“I am also thankful that the crowd came to watch me ... I have not been here for three years but they still come to watch me after work, and I hope they come back to support me on the second day.”

Lee will face unheralded Chinese shuttler Chen Yuekun — who is ranked 42nd in the world — in the second round today, but he is not about to underestimate any Chinese opponent.

“I haven’t played him before ... (but) China players, big or small, are good players, so I must prepare well and do my best,” said Lee.

China’s Du Pengyu (No 9) also cruised to the second round after routing Japan’s Sho Sasaki (No 26) 21-15, 21-10 yesterday.

The reigning Asian champion is a favourite for the men’s singles title this weekend, alongside rivals Lee and Vietnam’s Nguyen Tien Minh (No 8), after the withdrawals of Indonesian defending champion Tommy Sugiarto and Sony Dwi Kuncoro, Japan’s world No 3 Kenichi Tago and Thailand’s Boonsak Ponsana due to injury.

Said 26-year-old Du, who will meet India’s Prannoy H S today: “I feel I played okay today and I was a little lucky with my shots. I’m not thinking so much (about being the second seeded player) and not thinking so far ahead, and I hope to do better tomorrow.”

Defending women’s singles champion Wang Yihan (No 2) and world No 1 Li Xuerui are also on track for a spot in the top two after respective 2-0 victories against Yang Li Lian of Malaysia and India’s Tanvi Lad in the first round, while reigning world champion Ratchanok Intanon advanced after a 21-13, 21-13 victory over Malaysian Tee Jing Yi.

But Saina Nehwal’s hopes of repeating her 2010 championship title win were dashed last night, as the world No 8 Indian was upset 21-16, 15-21, 11-21 by Japanese shuttler Eriko Hirose (No 15).

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Tomorrow: Quarter-finals (StarHub Ch211, 3pm and 5pm)