It’s an all-Malaysian affair in men’s singles and doubles finals
News 8:25 AM
PETALING JAYA: It was a glorious day for Malaysian shuttlers when all of them cleared their respective semi-final hurdles in the Macau Open yesterday.
World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei sent title-holder Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia packing with a 21-18, 22-20 win in 38 minutes.
Chong Wei, still smarting from an unexpected quarter-final loss to Indonesia’s Sony Dwi Kuncoro at the World Championships in Hyderabad last week, got a huge boost of confidence when he overtook the Indonesian at 18-all to win the first game.
Former Olympic champion and third seed Taufik continued to pressure Chong Wei but the Malaysian held his nerves to take victory – and avenge his defeat to the Indonesian in last year’s final.
Chong Wei will be going for his fifth international title this year when he takes on surprise finalist Wong Choon Hann today.
Choong Hann turned the tables on World Championships runner-up Chen Jin by beating the Chinese 21-13, 6-21, 21-11 in 40 minutes to secure his first final appearance for this year.
Choong Hann’s previous best this year was reaching the semi-finals of the Malaysia Open Grand Prix Gold in Johor Baru two months ago.
Chen Jin had scored a comprehensive win over the Malaysian veteran in the third round of the world meet in Hyderabad last week.
The men’s doubles final today will also be an all-Malaysian affair between Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong and veterans Lee Wan Wah-Choong Tan Fook.
Defending champions Kien Keat-Boon Heong closed in on their third international title of the year when they beat China’s youngsters Chai Biao-Zhang Nan 21-14, 21-16.
The Swiss Open and Malaysian Grand Prix Gold champions this year have not dropped a game so far and should be the favourites to land a third successive Macau Open crown today.
However, former top Malaysian pair Wan Wah-Tan Fook could play the spoilers’ role.
Like their younger Malaysian team-mates, Wan Wah-Tan Fook are also enjoying a fine run and have not dropped a game so far.
Wan Wah-Tan Fook took just 24 minutes to blow away the Indonesian pair of Wifqi Windarto-Afiat Yuris Wirawan to reach their third Open final for the year.
Wan Wah attributed their win over their younger opponents to their ability to control the front court.
“We are playing well in this tournament and we hope to bag our second title. While Kien Keat-Boon Heong should start as favourites, they are the world No. 2 after all, we hope to give them a good fight,” said Wan Wah, who also made the finals of the Thailand and Indian Opens prior to this.
Posted by Lucas Liau
on 8:25 AM.
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