WORLDS 2010 – Lee Chong Wei ousted by Taufik

World number 1 Lee Chong Wei must wait another year to try and claim major tournament gold after falling at the quarter-final stage of the 2010 Yonex BWF World Championships to number 5 seed Taufik Hidayat.

Article and Interview by Mark Phelan (Live in Paris).  Photo: Badmintonphoto.com (Live)

The anticipated matchup between Lee Chong Wei and Taufik Hidayat lived up to all expectations as both players delivered the spectacle the full house wanted to see. The world number 1 entered as a clear favourite while Taufik sat firmly on the ‘nothing much to lose’ side of the fence.

It was the people’s favourite, Hidayat, who got the early upper hand, knowing that to beat Lee Chong Wei it is vital to try and win the opening set. The Indonesian took the opener 21-15 as he lead from start to finish.

The Malaysian hit back in the second as Hidayat appeared to take his foot off the gas slightly. After trading blows early on, Chong Wei pulled away to level with a 21-11 win.

Moving to the deciding set, both players needed to change their shirts as the heat was clearly becoming a major factor. With the set finely balanced at 12-12, it was building up to a tense finish. But it became clear that the world number one was now struggling and it was Hidayat that went on to win 9 consecutive points and take the match, to the adulation of the huge French crowd.

Follow the video below to hear the post match reaction of both players:

For all results click HERE