Chong Wei Shown The Exit Early By Unknown Frenchman

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 23 (Bernama) -- Lee Chong Wei’s hopes of ending his career on a high ended in dismay when he was shown the exit by unknown Frenchman Brice Leverdez in the first round of the World Championships at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, Scotland, on Tuesday. The former world number one who is currently world number two, lost 19-21, 24-22, 17-21. Despite Chong Wei’s loss, Malaysia’s representation continued in the men’s singles of the prestigious championships when Zulfadli Zulkifli beat Artem Pochtarov from Ukraine 8-21, 21-13, 21-13 in his first round match and mixed doubles pair Tan Kian Meng/Lai Pei Jing who received a bye in the first round defeated Ronan Labar/Audrey Fontaine from France 21-18, 21-10 in straight sets. The duo will meet Wang Yilyu/Huang Dongping from China who had earlier beaten B. Sumeeth Reddy/Ashwini Ponnappa from India 21-17, 18-21, 21-5. Zulfadli will face Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk from Thailand in the second round. Meanwhile, Rio Olympics silver medal winning pair Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong who received a ‘bye’ in the first round face Chung Eui Seok/Kim Dukyoung from South Korea in the second round on Wednesday. -- BERNAMA