DTN News: Yonex-Sunrise Malaysian Open Grand Prix Gold ~ Lee Chong Wei’s Sweet Revenge
*Source: DTN News
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - July 3, 2009: Malaysia's World No 1 Lee Chong Wei flexed his muscle ahead of the World Championships by ending the fairy tale r
un of China's youngster Chen Long in superb fashion at the Yonex-Sunrise Malaysian Open Grand Prix Gold at the Bandaraya Stadium in Johor Baru on Sunday June 28.
Chen Long’s defeat however did not take the shine away from team China as they still walked home as the biggest winners with three titles, all via several new faces out to make a name for themselves. And 21-year-old Ma Jin was the star of the day when she bagged two titles - in the mixed and women's doubles respectively.
A slight back injury problem did not stop Chong Wei from punishing Chen Long with solid attacking game for a 21-16, 21-9 win. The 20-year-old Chen Long's hope for his first Open title ended in just 32 minutes. The world junior champion Chen Long was seen as a big threat - especially after the former had beaten 2004 Olympic Games champion Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia in the opening round and having shocked Chong Wei in the first round of the India Open just two months earlier.
And it all had seemed as though both Chong Wei and Chen Long would be locked in a tight tussle when the latter caught up from a 1-6 deficit to take a two-point lead at 8-6 in the opening game. But Chong Wei restored order and showed why he is World number one by getting back into the groove.
With his ferocious attacks and crafty play, Chong Wei gained momentum to win the first game 21-16. Then, it was all a foregone conclusion when Chong Wei accelerated to an impressive 11-1 lead in the second game. The big gap destroyed the morale of Chen Long and eventually, he walked out of the court with his head hung low following a demoralising 9-21 defeat.
"I had to resort to attacking game against Chen Long today. This is because I had picked up a slight back injury on the first day of the tournament. My back hurts when I bend," said the top seed. "Fortunately, it is not a serious problem. The win has given me confidence in my preparation for the world meet in August”.
"My goal is to reach the final. I have six more weeks to polish up my game and I will devote my time to make sure that my preparation is the best ever for this world meet," he added.
It was Chong Wei's fourth Open title this year besides the ones won at Malaysia Lee won Super Series titles in Switzerland and Indonesia.
Malaysia also won their second title of the day through Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, who defeated compatriots Gan Teik Chai-Tan Bin Shen with a convincing 21-11, 21-13 win.
The mighty Chinese team continued to show that talents are aplenty in the women's singles department when 19-year-old Wang Zhixian nailed her first Open title after a sensational 21-16, 18-21, 21-10 win over compatriot Wang Xin.
It was a tight battle in the first two games but the youngster showed she was still full of energy when she stepped up the tempo in the decider to outclass Wang Xin in the battle between two qualifiers. The rising star from the national back-up shuttlers dedicated her win to her coach and former China top player Han Jingna, who was a member of the 1998 Uber Cup winning team.
"I have been training under her for the last half a year. She is a former top player and has done a lot to improve my game. When I think of my first Open title victory, I want to always remember her," said Zhixian. "Hopefully, this will be a start for better things for me. I want to win more honours in the international stage."
Yonex-Sunrise sponsore of BWF World Championships Super Series
Zhixian is the one of the first among the nine members in the women's singles back-up squad to win an international title. "Some of my teammates in the squad are gearing up for the Asian and World Junior Championships. They are quite young," added Zhixian, who will be out to win the Philippines Open next.
Ma Jin, on the other hand, did not have to work hard with her partner Zheng Bo against compatriots Xu Chen-Zhao Yunlei in the mixed doubles. It was the first event of the day but just 15 minutes into the first game, Yunlei limped out of the court with a twisted ankle after levelling the score at 5-5.
With the win albeit through default, the world number 18 Zheng Bo-Ma Jin went home with their fourth straight Open title, keeping steady their impressive 20 matches unbeaten streak in the international stage. They were also the winners at the last three Opens in Switzerland, Singapore and Indonesia.
Despite the brilliant run, Zheng Bo said that they would not raise their hopes sky high in their preparation for their World Championships debut in India next month. "We are not really too disappointed with the way we won today. It is unfortunate that our opponent cum teammate was injured," said Zheng Bo.
"There are many strong mixed doubles pairs and it will be quite tough. We will try to achieve good results."
In the women’s doubles, Ma Jin-Wang Xiaoli beat Malaysia’s Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui 21-9, 21-11 to take the title.
un of China's youngster Chen Long in superb fashion at the Yonex-Sunrise Malaysian Open Grand Prix Gold at the Bandaraya Stadium in Johor Baru on Sunday June 28.
Chen Long’s defeat however did not take the shine away from team China as they still walked home as the biggest winners with three titles, all via several new faces out to make a name for themselves. And 21-year-old Ma Jin was the star of the day when she bagged two titles - in the mixed and women's doubles respectively.
A slight back injury problem did not stop Chong Wei from punishing Chen Long with solid attacking game for a 21-16, 21-9 win. The 20-year-old Chen Long's hope for his first Open title ended in just 32 minutes. The world junior champion Chen Long was seen as a big threat - especially after the former had beaten 2004 Olympic Games champion Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia in the opening round and having shocked Chong Wei in the first round of the India Open just two months earlier.
And it all had seemed as though both Chong Wei and Chen Long would be locked in a tight tussle when the latter caught up from a 1-6 deficit to take a two-point lead at 8-6 in the opening game. But Chong Wei restored order and showed why he is World number one by getting back into the groove.
With his ferocious attacks and crafty play, Chong Wei gained momentum to win the first game 21-16. Then, it was all a foregone conclusion when Chong Wei accelerated to an impressive 11-1 lead in the second game. The big gap destroyed the morale of Chen Long and eventually, he walked out of the court with his head hung low following a demoralising 9-21 defeat.
"I had to resort to attacking game against Chen Long today. This is because I had picked up a slight back injury on the first day of the tournament. My back hurts when I bend," said the top seed. "Fortunately, it is not a serious problem. The win has given me confidence in my preparation for the world meet in August”.
"My goal is to reach the final. I have six more weeks to polish up my game and I will devote my time to make sure that my preparation is the best ever for this world meet," he added.
It was Chong Wei's fourth Open title this year besides the ones won at Malaysia Lee won Super Series titles in Switzerland and Indonesia.
Malaysia also won their second title of the day through Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, who defeated compatriots Gan Teik Chai-Tan Bin Shen with a convincing 21-11, 21-13 win.
The mighty Chinese team continued to show that talents are aplenty in the women's singles department when 19-year-old Wang Zhixian nailed her first Open title after a sensational 21-16, 18-21, 21-10 win over compatriot Wang Xin.
It was a tight battle in the first two games but the youngster showed she was still full of energy when she stepped up the tempo in the decider to outclass Wang Xin in the battle between two qualifiers. The rising star from the national back-up shuttlers dedicated her win to her coach and former China top player Han Jingna, who was a member of the 1998 Uber Cup winning team.
"I have been training under her for the last half a year. She is a former top player and has done a lot to improve my game. When I think of my first Open title victory, I want to always remember her," said Zhixian. "Hopefully, this will be a start for better things for me. I want to win more honours in the international stage."
Yonex-Sunrise sponsore of BWF World Championships Super Series
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