Kuala Lumpur: After he was defeated by French badminton player Brice Leverdez in the first round of the 2017 World Championships 19-21, 24-22, 17-21, Malaysia’s badminton superstar Lee Chong Wei and Brice Leverdez have both been drawn to meet each other again in the first round of the 2018 World Championships what will be held in Nanjing from July 30 to August 5.
In addition to Leverdez, the World No. 2 Lee has been drawn in the same half as Kento Momota, the player who defeated him in the Indonesia Open semi-finals two weeks ago. This time, if the seeds hold, he could face Momota again for the third time this year in the semi-finals.
Three former champions World No. 1 Viktor Axelsen, World No. 8 Chen Long, World No. 9 Lin Dan together with World No. 3 Shi Yuqi are in the top of the draw, and the winner of the bracket would face either Lee Chong Wei or Kento Momota in the final.
Another Malaysian players, Daren Liew will start his opener against Jonathan Christie from Indonesia.
In the men’s doubles competition, Malaysia’s Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong had a bye in the first round and could possibly take on compatriots Teo Ee Yi/Ong Yew Sin in the second round. Malaysia’s young men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik also qualified for the main draw and will take on Chung Eui Seok/Kim Dukyoung of Korea in the first round.
Other Malaysian players who have qualified for the World Championships including Goh Jin Wei and Soniia Cheah in women’s singles; Vivian Hoo/Woon Khe Wei and Chow Mei Kuan/Lee Meng Yean in women’s doubles; Chan Peng Soon/Goh Liu Ying, Goh Soon Huat/Shevon Lai Jemie and Tan Kian Meng/Lai Pei Jing in mixed doubles.
