Malaysian singles shuttler Lee Chong Wei has got the confidence back in his game and coach Misbun Sidek now wants his charge to challenge for the World Championships title in August.

Misbun believes that Chong Wei’s victory over World Championships runner-up Bao Chunlai of China in the Indonesian Open final last month was the turning point in his game.

“His physical expression told the story when he first came back to me. He had got too comfortable with his game then and his opponents started to read his game well. Chong Wei started to lose to them because he could not find a way to change his tactics,” said Misbun.

“He came to me because he had the faith but I expected the results to come only in six months time.

“It is also to his credit that he managed to turn his game around in less than three months because he has the talent in the first place.

“Chong Wei has the ability to shift his game plan according to his opponents. His confidence is also much better but it is important for him to prepare well. Preparation is everything to doing well in any targeted tournament.”

Prior to the success in Jakarta, Chong Wei had been without a title for 11 months since retaining his Malaysian Open title last year.

His game took a dive following his unexpected defeat by Chunlai in the quarter-finals of the World Championships in Madrid last September.

Chong Wei only had the bronze medal in the Doha Asian Games to show after that and subsequently failed to make it past the quarter-final stage in six tournaments this year.

The 25-year-old’s loss in form was also part of the reasons prompting his coach at that time – Li Mao (of China) to leave Malaysia and rejoin South Korea.

Misbun said Chong Wei and national number two Mohd Hafiz Hashim would skip the Thailand Open early next month to prepare for the world meet.

Only Chong Wei will be involved in the Sudirman Cup (mixed team world championships) in Glasgow starting next Monday.

“I am only sending Kuan Beng Hong (the third national singles player training under him) for the Thailand Open,” said Misbun.

“But all three would be playing in the China and Philippines Opens.

“I hope Chong Wei can maintain his form in these two tournaments. It is important for him to at least maintain his position in the top four in the world rankings. After that, he will come back to get ready for the world meet,” added Misbun.

The world meet will be held at the Putra Stadium in Kuala Lumpur from Aug 13-19 and Misbun said the hope is on Chong Wei to become Malaysia’s first singles world champion in badminton.

“No Malaysian has won the world title and Chong Wei has a shot at winning it. Hafiz stands a slim chance but he can still play a spoiler’s role and help clear the way.”

Hafiz is currently ranked 11th in the world and has not been training for the past week because of the preparations for his wedding.

Copyright © 2007 Star Online