Lee, Koo-Tan out to prevent a clean sweep by China in Japan Open
Latest News 9:53 AM
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s world number one shuttlers Lee
Chong Wei and Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong will go against the odds in
must-watch battles in the Japan Open final today in a bid to prevent
China from making a clean sweep once again.
Yesterday, top seed Chong Wei set up a match against China’s Lin Dan after sensationally beating Thailand’s Boonsak Ponsana 21-13, 21-18 in 37 minutes.
Lin Dan was also equally impressive when he sent Peter-Gade Christensen of Denmark packing with a 21-11, 21-19 win.
Both Chong Wei and Lin Dan had miserable runs at the World Championships in Paris last month when they failed to live up to the expectations after losing in the quarter-finals.
The Malaysian cited back injury for his pre-mature exit against Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia while Lin Dan acknowledged he lost to a better player – Park Sung-hwan of South Korea – on that day.
But when the “wounded tigers” clash today, both are not expected to hold back their punches.
The last time Chong Wei and Lin Dan met, the Chinese left-handed made the Malaysian look like a novice with his land-slide win during the semi-final tie against China in the Thomas Cup Finals at Bukit Jalil in May.
National singles coach Rashid Sidek was pleased that Chong Wei lived up to his top billing.
“Reaching the final itself is good enough for Chong Wei. After all, it is his first tournament since coming back from his back injury,” said Rashid.
“The odds are against Chong Wei. He has not beaten Lin Dan since winning against the Chinese at the Swiss Open last year. It will be good to see Chong Wei showing a better fight than what we last saw from him at the Thomas Cup Finals.
“I hope he will not push himself too much. I do not want him to risk getting injured again. The upcoming Commonwealth Games in India is more important,” he added.
If Chong Wei wins, it will be his seventh Open title this year and second Japan Open title after having won it in 2007.
Top seeds Kien Keat-Boon Heong inched closer in their mission to win their first Japan Open title yesterday but their nemesis Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng now stand on their way.
Yesterday, Kien Keat-Boon Heong defeated Indonesians Mohd Septano-Bona Ahsan 21-19, 21-13 in a fast-pace attacking semi-final match while Cai Yun-Haifeng had to fend of a strong challenge from their younger compatriots Chai Biao-Zhang Nan for a 21-17, 21-16 win.
Rexy was happy that the Malaysians had set up a rematch of the World Championships final.
Then, the Chinese defeated 2006 Japan Open runners-up Kien Keat-Boon Heong to win their third world title.
“This is Koo-Tan’s second final and I am happy with their consistency. Boon Heong was looking forward for a rematch against this Chinese pair and I hope they will take their chances well,” said Rexy.
“I want them to continue enjoying the game. They know what to expect against Cai Yun-Haifeng and I hope, our Malaysians will get their revenge,” he added.
However, if the Malaysian players fail in both the men’s singles and doubles today, China will once again walk back home with five titles in their third international tournament in a row.
They also swept all titles at the World Championships in Paris and the China Masters in Changzhou last week.
Yesterday, top seed Chong Wei set up a match against China’s Lin Dan after sensationally beating Thailand’s Boonsak Ponsana 21-13, 21-18 in 37 minutes.
Lin Dan was also equally impressive when he sent Peter-Gade Christensen of Denmark packing with a 21-11, 21-19 win.
Both Chong Wei and Lin Dan had miserable runs at the World Championships in Paris last month when they failed to live up to the expectations after losing in the quarter-finals.
The Malaysian cited back injury for his pre-mature exit against Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia while Lin Dan acknowledged he lost to a better player – Park Sung-hwan of South Korea – on that day.
But when the “wounded tigers” clash today, both are not expected to hold back their punches.
The last time Chong Wei and Lin Dan met, the Chinese left-handed made the Malaysian look like a novice with his land-slide win during the semi-final tie against China in the Thomas Cup Finals at Bukit Jalil in May.
National singles coach Rashid Sidek was pleased that Chong Wei lived up to his top billing.
“Reaching the final itself is good enough for Chong Wei. After all, it is his first tournament since coming back from his back injury,” said Rashid.
“The odds are against Chong Wei. He has not beaten Lin Dan since winning against the Chinese at the Swiss Open last year. It will be good to see Chong Wei showing a better fight than what we last saw from him at the Thomas Cup Finals.
“I hope he will not push himself too much. I do not want him to risk getting injured again. The upcoming Commonwealth Games in India is more important,” he added.
If Chong Wei wins, it will be his seventh Open title this year and second Japan Open title after having won it in 2007.
Top seeds Kien Keat-Boon Heong inched closer in their mission to win their first Japan Open title yesterday but their nemesis Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng now stand on their way.
Yesterday, Kien Keat-Boon Heong defeated Indonesians Mohd Septano-Bona Ahsan 21-19, 21-13 in a fast-pace attacking semi-final match while Cai Yun-Haifeng had to fend of a strong challenge from their younger compatriots Chai Biao-Zhang Nan for a 21-17, 21-16 win.
Rexy was happy that the Malaysians had set up a rematch of the World Championships final.
Then, the Chinese defeated 2006 Japan Open runners-up Kien Keat-Boon Heong to win their third world title.
“This is Koo-Tan’s second final and I am happy with their consistency. Boon Heong was looking forward for a rematch against this Chinese pair and I hope they will take their chances well,” said Rexy.
“I want them to continue enjoying the game. They know what to expect against Cai Yun-Haifeng and I hope, our Malaysians will get their revenge,” he added.
However, if the Malaysian players fail in both the men’s singles and doubles today, China will once again walk back home with five titles in their third international tournament in a row.
They also swept all titles at the World Championships in Paris and the China Masters in Changzhou last week.
Posted by Lucas Liau
on 9:53 AM.
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