Chong Wei, Kien Keat-Boon Heong bag Macau Open titles
News 8:28 AM
PETALING JAYA: Lee Chong Wei and the men’s pair of Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong lived up to their top billings in the Macau Open yesterday.
World No. 1 Chong Wei bagged his fifth title for the year, beating fellow Malaysian Wong Choong Hann 21-15, 21-19 in 36 minutes in the men’s singles final while Kien Keat-Boon Heong won the Macau Open men’s doubles title for the third successive time, defeating compatriots Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah 21-14, 17-21, 21-12.
Winning the Macau Open title without dropping a single game will be a consolation for Chong Wei after his disapppointing outing in the preceeding World Championships in Hyderabad a week ago where he failed to get past the quarter-finals.
Team manager How Kim Tho said that although he emerged triumphant, Chong Wei appeared lethargic and made numerous mistakes against veteran Choong Hann.
“The last two weeks have taken its toll on him.
“Although there was no pressure, Chong Wei was also determined to protect his long unbeaten record against a fellow Malaysian,” said Kim Tho.
For Kien Keat-Boon Heong, the victory yesterday was their third Open title this year after their successes in the Swiss Open in March and Malaysian Grand Prix Gold in Johor Baru in June.
The successful bid also meant that Kien Keat-Boon Heong, who were bronze medallists at the world championships, are guaranteed of retaining their No. 2 spot in the world rankings behind Indonesians Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan.
Kien Keat said that it would be perfect if they had won the World Championships title.
“I guess we have to be satisfied with this (our third Macau Open title) for now. We just maintained our condition after the World Championships.
“There was also no pressure today as we were playing against fellow Malaysians,” he said.
China took the other three titles at stake as All-England champion Wang Yihan dashed Jiang Yanjiao’s hopes of earning her first title for the year by coming from behind to secure a 16-21, 22-20, 21-12 win in the women’s singles final.
Yu Yang won a double.
She paired up with He Hanbin to take the mixed doubles title and won the women’s double crown with Du Jing.
Posted by Lucas Liau
on 8:28 AM.
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