‘Super Dan’ ready for 40th clash with Chinese Malaysian rival

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The stage is once again set for the most legendary badminton rivalry as Chinese icon and six-time winner Lin Dan will take on his perennial nemesis from Malaysia, Lee Chong Wei, a four-time winner, in the quarterfinals of the All England Open Badminton Championships on Friday. The duo, who are fierce rivals on the court and best friends off it, will meet in their 40th encounter in Birmingham.

Friday’s encounter will be the 40th face-off between Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei. /VCG photo

The 34-year-old Lin, who is also a two-time Olympic champion, survived a minor scare before breezing past Wang Tzu Wei of Chinese Taipei while the 35-year-old Lee, a three-time Olympic silver medalist, fought back from one game down to beat South Korea's Lee Dong Keun.

"I played better and better," Lee said. "But I think I will enjoy it more tomorrow. I hope everyone else enjoys it too," he said of his 40th meeting with Lin Dan, 34.

Lee Chong Wei is eying his 5th title at the All England Open. /VCG photo ‍

"Super Dan", ranked world No. 8 now, has won 27 of his clashes with Lee, including two last year, at the Malaysia Open and Asian Championships. Lee's last victory over the Chinese superstar was in the semifinals of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.