KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 14 ― World number one singles player, Datuk Lee Chong Wei began his hunt for a World Super Series Finals title on the wrong footing when he lost his first match in Group B at Hamdan Sports Complex, Dubai, today.

Chong Wei,34, who won the Japanese Open last month, failed to continue his fine run after losing to South Korean player, Son Wan Ho, 10-21 and 16-21 in just 38 minutes.

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) website said Chong Wei is set to meet Hong Kong player, Angus Nh Ka Long in the second group match tomorrow.

Other than Chong Wei, the women's doubles pair Vivian Khoo and Woon Khe Wei also lost to the Danish pair of Kamilla Rytter Juhl/Christinna Pedersen, 7-21, 17-21 in the first group match.

However, Chong Wei and Vivian Khoo/Khe Wei still have a chance to advance to the semi-finals if they could win two matches in their respective groups.

World number one men's doubles pair, Goh V Shem dan Tan Wee Kiong received a bye in the first group match when Danish pair, Mathias Boe/Carsten Mogensen pulled out from the championship.

V Shem/Wee Kiong would meet the pair from China Li Junhui/Liu Yuchen for the second group match tomorrow.

The World Super Series Finals in Dubai, which started today until December 18, is participated by eight best players in the world for every category, namely, singles men and women, men's and women's doubles and mixed doubles.

The championship offers cash prizes totalling US$1 million (about RM4.42  million). ― Bernama