Don't Be Trapped By Lin Dan's Psychological Warfare, Coach Tells Chong Wei

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 11 (Bernama) -- National singles coach Tey Siu Bock and head coach Rashid Sidek have reminded world number one Lee Chong Wei to ignore the psychological warfare used by world number two Lin Dan of China. Tey said Chong Wei should not fall prey or be pressured by Lin Dan's claims Monday that he would avenge his defeat to Chong Wei in the Korean Open by winning the Malaysian Open held here this week. "I hope Chong Wei will ignore Lin Dan's statement to avoid unnecessary pressure. In fact, it is Chong Wei, the winner of the title seven times, who will have an advantage over the Chinese world number two because of home ground advantage," he told Bernama here Tuesday. On Monday, Lin Dan was quoted as saying he was going to win the Malaysian Open for the first time and avenge his defeat in the final of the Korean Open Super Series last Sunday. Meanwhile, Rashid who preferred a realistic approach said Chong Wei has a 50 percent chance of repeating the feat against Lin Dan. "Nobody can guarantee a win outright. It will depend on the performance of the player on that day. My prediction is Chong Wei versus Lin Dan, 50-50, Chong Wei versus Chen Long also 50-50," he said. "But based on record, Chong Wei clearly has an advantage here." Barring any upsets, Chong Wei and Lin Dan are expected to set up a repeat of the Korean Open final, in the Malaysian Open which started Tuesday at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil. However, the path to the final does not look rosy for Chong Wei since he is expected to meet his nemesis Chen Long in the semifinal. In Wednesday's first round match, Chong Wei, the top seed will take on local qualifier Darren Liew who beat Taiwan's Hsueh Hsuan Yi, 15-21, 21-8, 21-8 to earn a place in the main draw. Apart from Chong Wei, Lin Dan and Chen Long, world number four Peter Hoeg Gade from Denmark, Indonesian ace Taufik Hidayat will be among the main contenders for the title. -- BERNAMA