Badminton: Lee surges into Japan Open final

TOKYO: Lee Chong Wei will meet Thailand’s unseeded Boonsak Ponsana in the final of the Japan Open after the two-time champion breezed past Simon Santoso yesterday. The top-seed and Olympic silver medallist, winner in Japan in 2007 and 2010, needed just over 30 minutes to see off the third seed 21-7, 21-17 in a one-sided semi-final. “Simon seemed not to play his best,” said Malaysian Lee. “He made too many mistakes, especially in the first game, so I just needed to play my game. My next opponent tomorrow is also a veteran player. Currently, Lin Dan and I are leading the world, but I’m sure younger players will be coming up very soon.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 23^rd, 2012.