Chong Wei Becomes First Player To Use Line-call Technology

 

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 11 (Bernama) -- It seems fitting that the world number one player Datuk Lee Chong Wei became the first shuttler to utilise the 'line-call technology' during his first match of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Superseries Finals at the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Stadium, here Wednesday night.

The top seed who was battling Wang Zhengming of China, challenged the linesman's decision during the second set of the Group A men's singles round robin game.

"It was a good decision to implement the system which is fair to all players. Sometimes it is too fast (the shuttlecock) and the linesman cannot see properly. The player then will blame the linesman," the 31-year-old told reporters after the match.

Using the tournament as an experimenting ground for the live use of the technology, the BWF plans to integrate the instant review system in its sanctioned tournaments beginning January.

Each contender will be given two chances to challenge line calls or umpire overrules of line calls and if a line call, after review, is deemed correct the player/pair loses one challenge.

Two incorrect challenges means a player/pair will have no more challenges for the duration of the match.

Chong Wei, who won 21-10, 21-18, wasted no time to take the first set but his pace was slowed down by the determined 23-year old Chinese in the second set.

"I have met him before during the World Championship and now I meet him again in the Superseries. I know that many players would like to 'belasah' (whip) me when I'm playing at home, so I expected the game to be tough.

"I just want to focus on my own game and what is important is for me to perform," said the Olympic silver-medallist who gained one point after winning the game.

Chong Wei is scheduled to meet Boonsak Ponsana of Thailand tomorrow.

Meanwhile, in the mixed doubles, Malaysians Chan Peng Soon/Goh Liu Ying faced a keen fight from England's Chris Adcock/Gabrielle Adcock before overcoming the husband-wife pair 16-21, 21-14, 21-19.
-bernama.