Badminton: Malaysian veterans face Japanese youngsters in the finals
Top News 9:21 AM
PETALING JAYA: Japan’s emerging talents stand in the way of veterans Wong Choong Hann (pic) and Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui’s bid for a Malaysian double at the Australian Open in Melbourne today.
Yesterday, Choong Hann showed he still got what it takes to play on the big stage when he tamed Tommy Sugiarto of Indonesia 21-16, 21-19 in the men’s singles semi-finals.
He will take on Sho Sasaki in the final today and revenge is on his mind.
Choong Hann still remembers clearly his defeat to Sasaki at the Thomas Cup Finals in Kuala Lumpur last year.
His defeat saw Malaysia eventually going down 2-3 to Japan in the Group tie. It was Malaysia’s first defeat to Japan in the world team’s competition.
Choong Hann, who had turned professional since leaving the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) after the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 and still looking for his first Open title since winning the Taiwan Open in 2003, admitted that it would indeed be a tough affair today.
“Seriously, I cannot remember when was the last time I won. It just has been too long,” said Choong Hann in a telephone interview.
“I know it will not be easy against my opponent tomorrow. He really looks very strong. I am happy to have come this far and I will be playing to win tomorrow.”
A win will certainly put world number 24th Choong Hann in good stead ahead of the World Championships in London in August.
National champions Pei Tty-Eei Hui will also be facing a daunting task against Shizuka Matsuo-Mami Naito today in their mission to win their first women’s doubles title since making a comeback after an eight-month absence.
Yesterday, Pei Tty-Eei Hui overcame a strong assault from Hong Kong’s Lok Yan Poon-Ying Suet Tse before romping home for a 25-23, 21-18 win.
Their opponents, world No. 10 Shizuka Matsuo-Mami Naito are no pushovers. The duo dumped two top Chinese pair – Du Jing-Pan Pan and Tian Qing-Zhao Yunlei – en route to reaching their first ever semi-final appearance in the All-England last month.
The outcome of today’s match will depend on Pei Tty’s condition as she is making a comeback after taking time off to recover from her knee injury.
Posted by Lucas Liau
on 9:21 AM.
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