Shuttler Wong will face Chong Wei at Olympics
Singapore shuttler in same group as world No. 1 in Rio
He last faced Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei earlier this year, and was brushed aside 21-10, 21-10 by the world No. 1 in the Victor Far East Malaysia Masters.
Next month, Singapore shuttler Derek Wong will have to go up against the 33-year-old again, after the two were drawn in the same group in the Olympic men's singles competition last night, together with Suriname's Soren Opti.
Wong, 27, has a 0-3 record against Lee, who is the top seed in Rio.
The Malaysian star, who finished with silvers at the last two Olympics (2008, 2012), will be afforded a bye to the quarter-finals if he tops the group.
Only the champions of each of the 13 groups will advance to the last 16.
National head coach Chua Yong Joo said: "Before the draw was conducted, we knew that our players would have to beat a seeded player in order to top the group and progress to the knockout stage.
"Derek has a very tough draw but, hopefully, he can draw inspiration from Ronald (Susilo), who beat the then-world No. 1 Lin Dan at the 2004 Olympics."
Susilo, now 37, famously beat the Chinese shuttler - regarded by many as the greatest of all time - 15-12, 15-10 in the Round of 32 in Athens 12 years ago.
The Singaporean went on to beat German Bjorn Joppien in the next round, but was eliminated by Thailand's Boonsak Ponsana in the quarter-finals.
FAVOURABLE DRAW
The Republic's only other representative in Rio, Liang Xiaoyu, was handed a comparatively more favourable draw.
The 20-year-old is in Group C with seventh seed and world No. 7 Sung Ji Hyun of South Korea, and France's Delphine Lansac.
Liang has a 0-2 record against Sung, with their last meeting a 21-17, 21-19 loss at the Indonesian Open last month.
Said Chua: "Xiaoyu has been training hard for Rio. We will be analysing Sung's game and prepare a strategy for when she plays her.
"At the same time, we will not underestimate the French girl as well. Xiaoyu will give her best in every match."
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