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WUHAN, China (AFP) –
Malaysia’s world number one Lee Chong Wei, seen here on April 29, sustained a serious ankle injury at the Thomas Cup Tuesday, hobbling off in tears to leave his Olympic dreams hanging in the balance.
World number one Lee Chong Wei will be out for up to a month after tearing an ankle tendon at the Thomas Cup Tuesday, hampering his Olympic title bid and depriving Malaysia of their star shuttler.
Malaysia lost 3-2 to Denmark in the men’s Thomas Cup group tie in Wuhan, which was just two points into its first match when Lee landed awkwardly and was taken to hospital for what was confirmed later as a torn ankle tendon.
“He will be out for about three to four weeks,” said Tey Seu Bock, Malaysia’s singles coach. “He will go back to Malaysia as soon as possible to do another MRI scan.”
Malaysia’s 33-ranked Daren Liew had given his country a glimmer of hope after the Lee blow when he pulled off a surprise 21-15, 21-13 victory over world number 13 Jan Jorgensen, but the Danes were too strong in the doubles.
“I knew Lee was out so it gave me extra motivation to win for Malaysia,” Liew said.
Despite its loss today, Malaysia still qualify for the knock-outs along with Denmark. The top two teams in each group go through.
“It definitely affects the team,” said the Malaysian doubles coach, Herry Iman Pierngadi, in light of Lee’s injury. “But we have no choice, we have to go on and fight. We have to stay together.”
In the other Thomas Cup ties of the first session South Korea won a close encounter with Germany 3-2. Both countries go through to the knock-outs.
In the women’s Uber Cup, Japan just edged past Denmark 3-2 in a very tight tie, while reigning champions South Korea whipped Germany 5-0, sending a clear message to the Chinese that they would not renounce their crown easily.
China’s men and women are in action in the pick of the ties for the evening session as they both face a challenge against Indonesia.
The draws for the knock-outs will take place after play is completed.
