Shanghai blues as Lee falters at first hurdle

Jan Jorgensen celebrates after beating top seed Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia (right) in the first round of the China Open in Shanghai yesterday. The unseeded Dane won a hard-fought encounter 21-6, 13-21, 21-17.

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WORLD No. 1 Lee Chong Wei from Malaysia suffered a surprising first-round defeat to Denmark's Jan Jorgensen 6-21, 21-13 and 17-21 in the men's singles at the ongoing 2009 China Open in Shanghai yesterday.

Jorgensen had played Lee twice before, losing both of the times without causing Lee much trouble. However, Jorgensen disappointed Lee's many Chinese supporters by winning his first set 6-21.

Lee, seeded first, recovered in the second set to win 21-13, and fought hard to up the pace in the third set but Jorgensen took his chances, grabbing several key points to secure his victory 21-17.

The Dane was understandably delighted with the outcome.

"I hope I can play every match as well as I did today. Now I have a chance against all players because I just beat the world No. 1.

"I am playing so well at the moment. In the second set I lost a little pace, but I just kept trying and got back the third set.

"I always go to the match thinking I have a chance and I can win. If you go into a game without thinking you have a chance, you will not be able to win. I think it is one of my disciplines. I always believe I can win and always believe in myself."

Jorgensen thought Lee was a little bit tired because Lee had played so many games this year.

"He played many matches. I took the first set, and I knew I had a chance, because he looked a little bit disturbed."

Lee also admitted that he was not in his best form in today's match.

"I felt very tired, and I had little desire in playing."

Jorgensen will next meet the winner between Brice Leverdez and Eric Pang.

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