THE mind was willing but the body wasn’t. World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei’s tired and weary limbs failed him when he needed them most yesterday.

The exhausted Chong Wei surrendered his Super Series Masters Finals crown, going down 16-21, 21-16, 18-21 to China’s Chen Long in a nerve-wracking one hour and 16-minute semi-final clash.

The defeat by the youngster at the Li Ning Gymnasium ended 29-year-old Chong Wei’s dream of ending the season on a high with his fourth Masters Finals title.

Invincible: Chen Long (left) pushes the shuttle past a stranded Lee Chong Wei during their Super Series Masters Finals men’s singles semi-final yesterday. Chen Long won 21-16, 16-21, 21-18. – AFP

It was also his third loss this year to the 22-year-old Chen Long, who is fast developing into a real threat to compatriot Lin Dan whom he will meet in today’s final. Lin Dan had a much easier time in his semi-final, coasting past Denmark’s Peter-Gade Christensen 21-12, 21-15.

Chen Long was a fireball of energy yesterday, lunging at every shot to break Chong Wei’s resolve. By the time the score stood at 14-14 in the opening game, Chong Wei was already panting.

Chen Long took the opener 21-16 and continued with his relentless assault in the second but Chong Wei dug deep into his reserves to force the decider.

The China No. 2 came back stronger and looked unstoppable as he raced to a 10-5 lead. Chong Wei, however, fought back to stay in the game and drew level at 18-18.

For one fleeting moment it looked like Chong Wei could pull it off, but Chen Long stayed rock solid to score three successive points to take the match.

“I tried to push myself in my last tournament of the year but I found it hard to focus against Chen Long,” said a dejected Chong Wei, who was competing in his 15th tournament of the season.

“I tried to mix it up with different strokes and even reduced my attacking game to break the momentum, but Chen Long was ready for all my shots. He made fewer mistakes today.

“Chen Long is young and has become a powerful and confident player. He is the future of the game.

“It has been quite a stressful end to the season. I competed in too many tournaments to secure my rankings for the Olympic Games and that has taken its toll on me.

“Overall, though, it has been a great year. I have won seven titles, made 11 finals and three semi-finals.

“I have never lost in the early rounds. I’m happy with my consistency. This has been the best season of my career.”

Chong Wei, the Badminton World Federation’s (BWF) Male Player of the Year, has vowed to come back fresh for next year’s challenge – with the London Olympics being his main target.

“I need a good rest now ... then it’s back to business. I will go to the Korean Open (Jan 3-8) as the runner-up and the Malaysian Open (Jan 11-15) as the defending champion. I must maintain these positions,” he said.

Chen Long, who threw his racquet in sheer joy after beating Chong Wei, was modest in victory.

“Chong Wei has been the world No. 1 since 2008 and this is only my third big win against him. I don’t consider myself a strong threat to him yet,” said Chen Long.

“He’s not in the best of shape, but I honestly thought he would win after he levelled the rubber at 18-18.

“I figured he had more experience to deal with the situation but he made some bad mistakes and I’m lucky I won.”

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