Chong Wei and Hafiz to slug it out in final
Top News 4:03 PM
IPOH: It was the same old faces – and the same old script.
And national shuttler Mohd Hafiz Hashim has had enough of it.
Yesterday, the men’s singles action went according to the form book when Hafiz made it to the final to set up a meeting against world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei.
Despite playing below par, Hafiz still managed to beat Chong Wei Feng 21-18, 15-21, 21-19 in a 43-minute semi-final match.
Uphill
task: Mohd Hafiz Hashim will seek a first win over Lee Chong Wei in the
local circuit since 2002 in today’s final. Below: Lydia Cheah is in the
women’s singles final.
On the adjacent court, Chong
Wei fended off an early resistance from Mohd Arif Abdul Latif before
turning on the style to romp home 21-16, 21-8..
And former All-England champion Hafiz is disappointed with the outcome.
“I’ve achieved my target to reach the final here. But I am sad that there were no outstanding results from the second stringers,” said Hafiz.
“I was injured for some time. I came back. I am still struggling to get back to my best. Yet, no youngster has taken advantage of the situation.
“I know the youngsters wants to win but they do not show the fire on the court. Arif probably was the only top performer here.
“I
hope all of them will catch up next year and give us a better fight in
the local tournaments. They must put pressure on the seniors. It just
felt like a training match to me.”
Hafiz, however, expects to be on the receiving end when he faces Chong Wei today.
”He is the favourite. I have never beaten him in the local circuit since he won the GP Finals in 2002. I will not give in easily.”
In the women’s singles, Lydia Cheah will take on Tee Jing Yi for the title.
Said Lydia: “I lost to Jing Yi in the National GP Finals (in February this year).
“It will be a close fight. It has not been a great year for me.
“I have been learning some new techniques and still adjusting. Hopefully, a title in the Perak Open will give me a timely boost.”
In the doubles, Tan Boon Heong will be out to become the biggest winner in the tournament when he checked into two finals.
The lanky Boon Heong has reached the mixed doubles final with Chin Eei Hui and they will be out to win their first title together when they take on top seeds and favourites Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying in the final today.
Boon Heong has also made it to the men’s doubles final with his world junior championship partner Hoon Thien How. The duo will take on Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari-Ong Soon Hock.
And national shuttler Mohd Hafiz Hashim has had enough of it.
Yesterday, the men’s singles action went according to the form book when Hafiz made it to the final to set up a meeting against world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei.
Despite playing below par, Hafiz still managed to beat Chong Wei Feng 21-18, 15-21, 21-19 in a 43-minute semi-final match.
Uphill
task: Mohd Hafiz Hashim will seek a first win over Lee Chong Wei in the
local circuit since 2002 in today’s final. Below: Lydia Cheah is in the
women’s singles final. And former All-England champion Hafiz is disappointed with the outcome.
“I’ve achieved my target to reach the final here. But I am sad that there were no outstanding results from the second stringers,” said Hafiz.
“I was injured for some time. I came back. I am still struggling to get back to my best. Yet, no youngster has taken advantage of the situation.
“I know the youngsters wants to win but they do not show the fire on the court. Arif probably was the only top performer here.
Hafiz, however, expects to be on the receiving end when he faces Chong Wei today.
”He is the favourite. I have never beaten him in the local circuit since he won the GP Finals in 2002. I will not give in easily.”
In the women’s singles, Lydia Cheah will take on Tee Jing Yi for the title.
Said Lydia: “I lost to Jing Yi in the National GP Finals (in February this year).
“It will be a close fight. It has not been a great year for me.
“I have been learning some new techniques and still adjusting. Hopefully, a title in the Perak Open will give me a timely boost.”
In the doubles, Tan Boon Heong will be out to become the biggest winner in the tournament when he checked into two finals.
The lanky Boon Heong has reached the mixed doubles final with Chin Eei Hui and they will be out to win their first title together when they take on top seeds and favourites Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying in the final today.
Boon Heong has also made it to the men’s doubles final with his world junior championship partner Hoon Thien How. The duo will take on Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari-Ong Soon Hock.
Posted by Lucas Liau
on 4:03 PM.
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