Lin Dan, Lee Chong Wei in dream Olympic final

It was the dream Olympics final everybody was looking forward to. World No.2 Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia will hope to do something he has rarely done before – beat the legendary Lin Dan in a major final. At last year’s World Championships at Wembley Arena, he was desperately close, even holding two match points against his great Chinese opponent before losing. Whether he can eventually change his luck at the same Arena in the final of the Olympics remains to be seen.

But Chong Wei first had to get past another formidable Chinese opponent – world No.3 Chen Long – in the semifinals. Chen Long is fast and powerful, and has beaten the Malaysian four times in ten encounters. Adding to Chong Wei’s troubles was the fact that he had resumed full training only in the last two weeks, for he had had to recuperate from serious ankle injury.

And yet, it was a near-perfect demonstration from Lee Chong Wei. The Malaysian moved like lightning, defended stoutly, and pounced on every opening as he beat Chen Long in straight games, 21-13 21-14. At the end of it, he roared and pumped his fists to signal his relief at having assured himself and Malaysia of a medal.

Chong Wei was off to a great start, notching seven points without reply. It was only late in the first game that Chen Long started to find his rhythm, but by then it was too late to save the game. The Chinese showed flashes of his great power and speed – leaping high to smash from the back court, and moving up to cut off the returns. Chong Wei’s returns therefore had to be so precise that Chen Long could not move up for the kill. This he did exceptionally well.

It was much closer in the second game. Chong Wei though always had his nose in front. Chen Long fought back and narrowed down the deficit to 9-10, but Chong Wei earned the crucial lead of 11-9 at the break. From there he stepped on the gas, creating the spaces expertly, smashing with precision, and dominating the net with silken play.

“When I went into the match, I thought this would be my last at the Olympics,” admitted Chong Wei. “I have had just two weeks of full training. My physical fitness was only 60 percent. But I was determined to prove people wrong. I wanted to take the first game, and I wanted to keep my lead throughout the match.”

Talking of the final against Lin Dan, he said: “Beijing Olympics was different because it was home court advantage for Lin Dan. I hope I can beat him here and win gold.”

Defending champion Lin Dan booked his final spot without much trouble against Korea’s No.7 seed Lee Hyun Il, 21-12 21-10. Hyun Il knew he had to slow down the pace of the rallies, just as he had against Lin Dan’s compatriot Chen Jin in the quarterfinals. But although he tried to vary the pace of the game, Lin Dan accelerated when he needed to – often using the smash from the backcourt and moving up quickly to cut off Hyun Il’s returns.

The world No.1 said he was looking forward to winning his second straight Olympic gold. “In today’s match, I was very focused. I did not want to repeat the same mistakes I committed yesterday. I really want to win for my country. I’m happy that after all these years, Chong Wei and I still stand above the rest. We are not yet has-beens.

“If I write an autobiography I will tell young aspirants not to think about the result of every match but to do their best all the time. Results will follow in their favour.”

The men’s singles final on Sunday should be a treat for badminton fans, pitting the two best players of the world in their second straight final Olympic final.