Chong Wei, doubles pair only Malaysian challengers as China look to dominate
Koo Kien Keat (right) and Tan Boon Heong will have to produce their best in the World Super Series Finals.
LEE Chong Wei's objective to win the World Super Series Finals crown for the fourth consecutive time will be severely tested by the in-form Lin Dan in front of his home crowd in Liuzhou, China on Dec 14-18.
Chong Wei and men's doubles Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong were the only Malaysians to qualify for the final tournament of the year while China have the maximum two entries for each of the five events.
Lin Dan chose to withdraw from the Super Series Finals over the last three years and Chong Wei capitalised on his absence to secure a hat-trick.
However, Lin Dan seems to have regained his form since winning his fourth World Championships title in London by beating Chong Wei in the final in August and upstaged the Malaysian en route to the Hong Kong and China Open titles last month.
Lin Dan rarely loses to his rivals at home and Chong Wei has never beaten him in China and it will take a superhuman effort from the World No 1 in Liuzhou.
Others who have qualified are Chen Long of China, Peter Gade Christensen of Denmark, Japanese duo Kenichi Tago and Sho Sasaki as well as Indonesians Taufik Hidayat and Simon Santoso.
Chong Wei and Lin Dan are expected to battle it out in the final.
The men's doubles will be a toss between China's Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng and Jung Jae Sung-Lee Yong Dae of South Korea while another Korean pair Ko Sung Hyun-Yoo Yeon Seong are the darkhorses.
Kien Keat-Boon Heong, winners in 2008, have not overcome their wretched form and will be lucky if they can make it to the semi-final stage.
China will be aiming for a clean sweep as this is something they have never achieved in the Super Series Finals and only Jae Sung-Yong Dae are capable of denying the hosts in the men's doubles.
Chong Wei and men's doubles Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong were the only Malaysians to qualify for the final tournament of the year while China have the maximum two entries for each of the five events.
Lin Dan chose to withdraw from the Super Series Finals over the last three years and Chong Wei capitalised on his absence to secure a hat-trick.
However, Lin Dan seems to have regained his form since winning his fourth World Championships title in London by beating Chong Wei in the final in August and upstaged the Malaysian en route to the Hong Kong and China Open titles last month.
Lin Dan rarely loses to his rivals at home and Chong Wei has never beaten him in China and it will take a superhuman effort from the World No 1 in Liuzhou.
Others who have qualified are Chen Long of China, Peter Gade Christensen of Denmark, Japanese duo Kenichi Tago and Sho Sasaki as well as Indonesians Taufik Hidayat and Simon Santoso.
Chong Wei and Lin Dan are expected to battle it out in the final.
The men's doubles will be a toss between China's Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng and Jung Jae Sung-Lee Yong Dae of South Korea while another Korean pair Ko Sung Hyun-Yoo Yeon Seong are the darkhorses.
Kien Keat-Boon Heong, winners in 2008, have not overcome their wretched form and will be lucky if they can make it to the semi-final stage.
China will be aiming for a clean sweep as this is something they have never achieved in the Super Series Finals and only Jae Sung-Yong Dae are capable of denying the hosts in the men's doubles.
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