Chong Wei out of Thomas Cup due to ankle injury

World No.5 Peter Gade consoles friend and rival Lee Chong Wei after the latter suffered an ankle injury

Wuhan: World No.1 Lee Chong Wei suffered a second injury in the space of three months, pulling out of his opening match against Denmark’s Peter Gade in a Group C encounter of the Thomas Cup Finals. The two were on court for barely four minutes before Chong Wei cried out in pain while retrieving a shot at the baseline. The Malaysian was in tears as he was rushed to hospital, and team coach Rashid Sidek ruled out the possibility of his participation at the Thomas Cup.

Chong Wei had earlier suffered a shoulder injury in the All England final in March, which he was forced to concede to longtime rival Lin Dan. The ankle injury sparked immediate concern over his recovery for the London Olympics. “His ankle is so swollen,” Sidek was quoted as saying in The Star. “He may have to get it scanned and see the depth of the injury. We have decided that he would not play in the Thomas Cup Finals. We want him to have enough rest before the Olympic Games in London.”

His friend and rival Peter Gade expressed sadness over the turn of events. “This is not the way that I wanted to win. I knew the seriousness of his injury when he landed with his weight of body on his foot. I can understand his feeling right now especially with Olympic Games just near the corner. I feel so sorry for him. I wish and pray that he will get well soon and hope for speedy recovery.”

Minus Chong Wei, Malaysia could not save the encounter against Denmark. World No.3 pair Carsten Mogensen/ Mathias Boe overpowered new combination Tan Boon Heong/ Hoon Thien How, but Daren Liew won the second singles over Jan O Jorgensen before Jonas Rasmussen/ Joachim Fischer-Nielsen sealed the tie for Denmark with a 21-18 21-15 win over Koo Kien Keat/ V Shem Goh. Hafiz Hashim won the inconsequential final rubber over Hans Christian Vittinghus in three tight games.

Denmark’s women, however, could not capitalize on a 2-0 lead and capitulated to Japan. Despite Tine Baun and Christinna Pedersen/ Kamilla Rytter-Juhl giving them a comfortable lead, Denmark was made to rue the lack of depth as Japan clawed back in the three remaining matches.

Meanwhile, it was a good day for Korea as they beat Germany in both the Thomas and Uber Cup group ties. Their men had a harder task, but they sealed the tie in the fourth match. Germany won the inconsequential fifth to give the score some respectability.

However, Germany’s women were no match for the defending Uber Cup champions, especially as they were without their best player Juliane Schenk. Korea won the tie without conceding a single game.