THE old rivalry between superstars Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei roared back into life at the Badminton World Championships in Jakarta on Tuesday.

    Lee, a former world No. 1 who only returned to badminton in May after being slapped with an eight-month ban for doping, looked dangerous as he swept aside Lithuania’s Kestutis Navickas 21-9, 21.

    Five-time champion Lin overpowered Sattawat Pongnairat of the United States 21-8, 21-11.

    Both Lin and Lee are expected to meet in the semifinals of the men’s singles, with the final scheduled for Sunday.

    The two-time Olympic medalist Lin hoped the return of Lee would increase the level of competition.

    “Of course I am looking forward to meeting with Lee in the semifinals,” said the 2008 and 2012 Olympic winner. “I would love to play with Lee again.”

    Routes to the semifinals in Jakarta are not easy for both Lin and Lee, who are grouped with other seeded players in the next rounds.

    Lin will face either 2nd-seeded Dane Jan O Jorgensen, ninth-seeded Son Wan-ho of South Korea or 14th-seed Hans-Kristian Vittinghus of Denmark, who beat Kieran Merrilees of Scotland 21-16, 21-15.

    Lee, meanwhile, could come up against 3rd-seeded Srikanth Kidambi of India, 8th seed Wang Zhengming of China, 12th-seeded Wiebler of Germany or 13th seed Hu Yun of China’s Hong Kong.

    “Today I’m quite confident ... and hopefully I will be better tomorrow,” said Lee, who realized his duel with Lin was long-awaited by many spectators.

    (SD-Agencies)