PETALING JAYA: National singles shuttlers Lee Chong Wei and Mohd Roslin Hashim may suffer a slight drop but they are unlikely to tumble out of the top 16 in the world standings after experiencing mixed fortunes in the back-to-back Korean and Japan Open tournaments respectively. The 22-year-old Chong Wei is placed 12th in the world after having reached the semi-finals of the five-star Korean Open . He lost to South Korean Park tae-sang and failed in his attempt to reach his second career final in a Grand Prix tournament. But he may suffer a drop after losing to fourth ranked South Korean Park Sung-hwan in the first round of the Japan Open. The 29-year-old Roslin lost to Germany's Bjoern Joppien in the third round of the Korean Open. But he went a step better in the Japan Open, losing to China's Bao Chunlai in the quarter-finals. He is currently ranked 14th in the world. But Singaporean Ronald Susilo, who is a rung below is set to overtake Roslin in the world ranking following his smashing performances in the ongoing Japan Open. Yesterday, Ronald defeated Park tae-sang of South Korea 13-15, 15-10, 15-11 to reach the final of the five-star tournament. He will take on China's Bao Chunlai, who upset teammate and top seed Lin Dan with a 15-13, 15-10 win. Malaysia's Wong Choong Hann, meanwhile, maintained his fourth position in the world despite uninspiring performances in the Korean and Japan Opens. In the men's doubles, Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah moved one rung up to fourth placing. Only the top 16 in the world rankings at the end of the qualification period on April 30 will earn automatic places in the Athens Olympic. With no major changes expected to take place, Choong Hann, Chong Wei, Roslin and Malaysia's top pair of Tan Fook-Wan Wah are certain to make the trip to Athens. The last tournament to offer Olympic qualifying points is the Asian Badminton Championships from April 20-25 at the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Stadium. TheStar
