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This is an archive article published on April 30, 2011

Lee,Gade set up summit clash in Indian Open

Both the shuttlers notched up contrasting wins in their inaugural encounters.

World number one Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia on Saturday set up a mouth-watering summit clash against experienced Danish shuttler Peter Hoeg Gade in the inaugural Indian Open Super Series after both notched up contrasting wins in the men’s singles on Saturday.

The two-time All England Champion,Lee prevailed over eight seed Yun Hu of Hong Kong 21-11 21-15 while 34-year-old Gade,who won four European Championship crowns beside the All England title in 1999,defeated sixth seed Korean Sung Hwan Park 21-15 21-19 in a 45-minute semifinal at Siri Fort Complex.

In the women’s singles,Porntip Buranaprasertsuk of Thailand scored an upset win over fourth seed Pui Yin Yip 21-13 21-8 to reach the finals and will face third seed Youn Joo Bae tomorrow. Bae beat Sayaka Sato 23-21 15-21 21-12 in a hard-fought semifinal which lasted more than one hour.

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Yun’s challenge lasted the initial three points as after that he was left to do the catching up act with Lee zooming ahead with a variety of strokes to take the first game.

The second game was no different as Lee,after initially being locked at 4-4,broke away with big strides to extend the lead to 13-6 but Yun too reeled off six straight points to narrow the gap. However,it proved futile as the world number one held his fort to pocket the match.

Lee’s athleticism was in full display as the Malaysian retrieved the shuttle from near impossible positions during the long rallies and also hit a between-the-legs shot,much to the amusement of the paltry crowd.

Asked about the strokes,Lee later said with a smile,”I don’t know where that came from. I was lucky.”

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Lee has played Peter 11 times earlier in his career and has lost only once during the 2009 Korea Super Series but the Malaysian said he won’t take the experienced Dane lightly.

“It is the first Super Series in India and I would like to win it. He (Peter) is an experienced player and it is always tough against him. I hope I can beat him once again here. I will try my best and prepare myself well for the final,” he said.

Gade too showed his age-defying fitness as he was up on his feet during the long rallies and controlled the match with Park showing some glimpses of brilliance during their 45 minute clash.

Gade first opened up a narrow 5-3 lead and then widen the gap With better net play and finished off the first game in style with a drop.

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The Korean came back to open up a massive 12-6 in the second game but experienced Gade reeled off the deficit with six straight points as Park crumbled under pressure.

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