Match: Lee Chong Wei v Viktor Axelsen
Date: 16 December, Friday
Time: 6pm SGT/3:30pm IST/10am GMT
Venue: Hamdan Sports Complex, Dubai
Competition: BWF Dubai World Superseries Finals 2016
TV Schedule: There is no live TV coverage in Singapore.
Live Streaming: BWF's official YouTube channel, Hotstar
Overview
Lee Chong Wei kept his hopes of making the semi-final alive in the ongoing Badminton Superseries Finals by defeating Hong Kong Open 2016 winner Ng Ka Long in straight games 21-15, 22-20.
The world number one, who is also chasing his fifth year-ending title, trialed Ng for most part of the second game but fought back to clinch a crucial point on Thursday. The Malaysian shuttler, who recovered in time for the ongoing tournament after suffering an injury that kept him out of action in France, China and Hong Kong, is yet to hit peak form.
Lee himself conceded that he had issues in reaching the shuttle swiftly and that he was nervous and thinking too much on the court during his match against Ng.
"Perhaps today's performance was better than yesterday's. After coming back from injury and missing out on tournaments for the past two months, I was thinking too much on court today. I was feeling a little nervous and my footwork was a little slow in reaching the shuttle, but it's ok. Today is only the second match and I hope for a better performance tomorrow," Lee said, as quoted by the tournament's official website.
Lee has to be on top of his game when he faces last year's runners-up and Rio Olympic bronze medallist Viktor Axelsen on Friday. The Dane, who defeated Ng on the opening day of the tournament, lost a hard-fought battle after dominating it for the most part against South Korea's Son Wan Ho, who has already booked a semi-final berth from Group B.
After losing the first game 21-19, Axelsen grabbed one back 21-14 and was leading 10-4 in the decider before Son stepped up and took the game 21-18. The world number four has not been in good form in the recent past and he will be tested by the Malaysian legend, who has beaten him nine times in the past, including twice in 2016.
TV Schedule
India: Star Sports HD 2
