Chen Long & Lin Dan reach final of Celcom Axiata Malaysia Open 2019

Speed Post News Network

Patna : Reigning Olympic champiuon and World No 5 Chen Long, 30, China, and World No 16 Lin Dan, 35, China, will clash in the final of Celcom Axiata Malaysia Open 2019, an HSBC BWF World Tour Super 750 category tournament, at Axiata Arena, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on April 7, 2019.

Chen Long beat World No 10 and reigning Asian Games champion Jonatan Christie, 21, Indonesia, in a three-game thriller 12-21, 21-1-, 21-15 in 64 minutes in the semi-finals on April 6, 2019. Chen lost the first game to Christie also known as ‘Jojo’ but made a strong come back to win the next two games.

Chen won 54 rallies in the match to 46 by Christie, who had stunned World No 1 and reigning World Champion Kento Momota, Japan, in the 2nd round, and 2017 World Champion Viktor Axelsen, Denmark, in the quarter-finals. Chen also won 9 consecutive points in the match to 7 by Christie. Chen now leads Christie 7-0 head to head.

Lin Dan better known as Super Dan beat World No 2 Shi Yuqi, 23, China, in tough three-game contest lasting 65 minutes in the semi-finals. Dan, who has won 65 career titles, defeated Yuqi 21-19, 16-21, 21-12 on April 6. The Super Dan won 58 rallies in the match to 52 by Yuqi. He won 5 consecutive points in the match to 6 by Yuqi. Yuqi, however, still leads Lin Dan 5-2 head to head.