A Lee Chong Wei-inspired Malaysia overcame the worst possible start to crush Russia 4-1 at the Sudirman Cup on Monday as the world number one showed his teammates how it should be done. Earlier in the day, a determined England pushed South Korea all the way before the Koreans’ superior quality and stamina saw them survive a major scare. South Korea, along with Denmark, are tipped to be the closest challengers to reigning champions China, but they will have to play far better if they are to be realistic contenders in the Chinese coastal city of Qingdao. Similarly, Malaysia were sluggish to get going, as their mixed doubles pairing of Chan Peng Soon and Goh Liu Ying went down 21-19, 21-18 to Alexander Nikolaenko and Valeria Sorokina. Not for the first time, Lee was Malaysia’s saviour, stepping up to blast the out-classed Ivan Sozonov off the court 21-9, 21-10 in a brutal 26-minute demolition job.
