YONEX - SUNRISE MALAYSIA Open GP - China set for titles

The Chinese players can look forward to going back home all smiles if they can nail either the men's singles or the women's doubles title. In the men's singles, world number one Lee Chong Wei is the hot favourite but China will be banking on their Asian and World junior champion Chen Long to upset the form book.

On Saturday, Chong Wei hardly broke sweat when he bulldozed past a nervous Hu Yun of Hong Kong with a 21-9, 21-8 win. The 20-year-old Chen Long, however, had to work extra hard - especially in the second game to tame Malaysia's veteran Wong Choong Hann with a 21-10, 21-16 win. Ironically, Chong Wei has lost to Chen Long once - in the first round of the India Open in April. Suffering from food poisoning at the time, the Malaysian was not able to give his best. Chong Wei said that he was eyeing revenge but more importantly, the Malaysian did not want to suffer a major hiccup ahead of the upcoming World Championships, which will be held in Hyderabad, India on 10-16 August.

"I want to win my fourth title this year in front of my home fans. He is a young player and wants to do well but I will be ready for him." said Chong Wei.

Despite having the advantage of beating him before, the lanky Chen Long remained modest of his chances tomorrow. "He (Chong Wei) was not at his best before. Currently, I think, there is still a gap in standard between us. I will be happy if I can stick to my game plan and give my best," said Chen Long.

As in the men's singles, China will also be banking on their 2006 Asian and World Junior Champions Ma Jin-Wang Xiaoli to turn the tables on world number one Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui of Malaysia in the women’s doubles.

Both Ma Jin-Wang and Eei Hui-Pei Tty had relatively easy matches against their respective semi-final opponents - Gao Ling-Wei Yili of China and Frances Liu Fan-Vanessa Neo Yu Yan of Singapore. On paper, the reigning Indonesian champions Eei Hui-Pei Tty are the favourites but based on their form, Ma Jin-Wang looks good to pull the rug from under the Malaysians.

"We are not here with big expectations. It was supposed to be a good exposure for us. We will be happy if we can give a good fight," said the 21-year-old Ma Jin.

China already have two titles in the bag with their players making it their own affairs in the women's singles and mixed doubles events. In the women's singles, the battle will be between their two qualifiers Wang Xin and Wang Zhixian.

The 24-year-old Wang Xin, who made it to the national team after trying for many years, defeated Malaysia's Wong Mew Choo 21-18, 21-14 to set-up a meeting with her 19-year-old back-up compatriot Zhixian.

"It will be a great international debut for me if I can go all the way to win a title here. It will certainly help me to get more opportunities to prove myself in China's national team," said the soft-spoken player.

Ma Jin has a chance to win her second title of the day when she gets into action in the mixed doubles final with Zheng Bo. The duo, however, are expected to be stretched to the limit when they take on compatriot Xu Chen-Zhao Yunlei.

Malaysia at least has one title in their pocket when Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong take on independent players Gan Teik Chai-Tan Bin Shen.