Lee Chong Wei upset by Brice Leverdez in World Badminton Championships opener - Hindustan Times
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Lee Chong Wei upset by Brice Leverdez in World Badminton Championships opener

Agence France-Presse, Glasgow | ByAgence France-Presse
Aug 22, 2017 07:43 PM IST

A three-time World Badminton Championships finalist, Lee Chong Wei went down in three games to Brice Leverdez of France.

France’s Brice Leverdez pulled off the first shock of the World Badminton Championships by defeating men’s second seed Lee Chong Wei in three games in Glasgow on Tuesday. (World Badminton Championships live blog)

Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei returns against France's Brice Leverdez during their men’s singles Round 1 match at the 2017 BWF World Championships at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow on Tuesday.(AFP)
Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei returns against France's Brice Leverdez during their men’s singles Round 1 match at the 2017 BWF World Championships at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow on Tuesday.(AFP)

The 31-year-old claimed the scalp of his career 21-19, 22-24, 21-17 in 75 minutes and perhaps end Lee’s elusive search for the world title which has seen him take three silver medals just as he has done in the Olympics.

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“I’m really happy,” he said.

READ | Lin Dan wins to open bid for 6th BWF World Badminton Championships gold

“I managed to stay relaxed and played my own game.”

Leverdez had two match points in the second game -- 20-21 and 21-22 -- and it was only a successful hawk eye challenge on the second match point that saved Lee from a straight games exit.

France's Brice Leverdez celebrates his victory over Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei during their Round 1 men's singles match at the 2017 BWF World Championships. (AFP)
France's Brice Leverdez celebrates his victory over Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei during their Round 1 men's singles match at the 2017 BWF World Championships. (AFP)

In the decider, the 34-year-old Malaysian led 15-10 -- but the Frenchman wouldn’t give in.

“I knew I was in trouble, but I never gave up,” said Leverdez.

For Lee it was another chance gone.

READ | K. Srikanth, Sameer Verma sail through BWF World Championships opener

“I tried my best and he got lucky on a few points,” said Lee, whose fourth win in the All-England Open this year suggested he was still capable of ending his world title drought.

“I’m very disappointed.”

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