YONEX-SUNRISE BWF WORLD SUPER SERIES 2009 - Malaysia sweep three titles, again

This means it’s the second consecutive year that Malaysian shuttlers have won three titles in the Masters Finals. However, last year, Malaysia won the men’s doubles title instead of the women’s singles title.

For Denmark, it was a case of so near yet so far as only Joachim Fischer Nielsen-Christinna Pedersen won the mixed doubles title with the men’s doubles pair of Carsten Mogensen-Mathias Boe and women’s doubles pair of Kamilla Rytter Juhl-Lena Frier Kristiansen disappointed in the finals.

In the women’s singles, Malaysia’s Wong Mew Choo once again used her strong rally game to subdue the challenge from Juliane Schenk.

Mew Choo mixed her game with lobs, drops and clever net play to engage the German in long rallies and slowly wore down her opponent to win in straight games, 21-15, 21-7 to win the biggest pay cheque of her career, US$40,000. Schenk received US$20,000 for her efforts.

“I am going to treat my teammates and coaches as they have been instrumental in helping my career,” said Mew Choo.

“Without their help, I will not be here today as they were pillars of support to me even when I was injured.”

Following up on Mew Choo’s victory, the women’s doubles pair Chin Eei Hui-Wong Pei Tty lived up to their top billing in the Super Series ranking when they beat Rytter Juhl-Frier Kristiansen 21-17, 21-14 to win the title.

Eei Hui-Pei Tty also won the title last year.

But it was the men’s singles match that drew the loudest cheers as Chong Wei was in devastating form to deny Korea’s Park Sung Hwan the title.

“I was playing with a lot of confidence but after winning the first game, I was too eager to finish off the match. This led to some mistakes and I allowed him to catch up,” said Chong Wei after his 21-17, 21-17 win over the Korean.

“After the Olympic Games in Beijing (2008), my form took a dip but I am very happy with the way the year has progressed.

“I’ve won six titles and now the Masters Finals title as well. As such, I am pleased with my performance.

“But next year, I plan to be more selective in choosing the tournaments I want to compete in order to focus on major events.”

Despite his status as World No 1 for more than one year, Chong Wei has yet to win the World Championships or Olympic title.

In the day’s first match, Fischer Nielsen-Pedersen beat V. Diju-Jwala Gutta 21-14, 21-18 to claim their biggest prize money, US$42,000.

Fisher Nielsen was delighted with the win and said winning the title was the best way to end the season.

“We will be playing at the Copenhagen Masters at the end of the month but winning the Masters Finals is a great way to end the season,” said the Dane.

“It is a pity that some of the top pairs are not here but in today’s mixed doubles, there are seven to eight pairs who can win the title.

“I rate the Koreans (Lee Yong Dae-Lee Hyo Jung) as the best mixed doubles pair in the world right now and that is our aim – to beat them.”

In the men’s doubles, Jung Jae Sung-Lee Yong Dae atoned for their disappointment last year when they beat Mogensen-Boe 21-15, 21-15 to lift the title.

“We were disappointed to lose in the final last year, and as such, we were fired up to win this year,” said Yong Dae.

“There are many good pairs in the world and we have to be on our toes all the time. But this win is a good way to end the year and also a good motivator for the coming season.”