Ruthless Chen Hong ends Chong Wei’s fairy tale run

KOTA KINABALU: Youngster Lee Chong Wei found Chen Hong of China too hot to handle in the men's singles final of the Malaysian Open badminton championships at the Likas Sports Complex here yesterday. 

The 21-year-old Chong Wei, who was making his first appearance in the final of a major tournament on the world circuit, had nothing in him to rattle the Chinese world number one and top seed, crashing to a tame 9-15, 5-15 defeat. 

En route to the final, Chong Wei had upset compatriot Mohd Roslin Hashim and the more fancied Bao Chunlai of China and Lee Hyun-il of South Korea. But he had no answer against the much superior Chen Hong yesterday. 

The defeat meant that Malaysia failed to win the men's singles title of their home international Grand Prix tournament for the third consecutive year. 

Although he was outclassed, Chong Wei was not too disappointed over the defeat. 

“It does not feel good to lose so tamely. But Chen Hong was just too superior today. I was really tired and I just could not push myself anymore. I tried and I tried but I just could not get my game going,” said the Penangite. 

All signs pointed to a rout for Chong Wei when he trailed 0-7 in the first game. Chen Hong went on to hold game point at 14-2 but Chong Wei staged a fightback before losing 9-15. 

The speedy Chinese continued to dominate play in the second game, taking a 4-0 lead. Chong Wei managed only five points before surrendering the match. 

“I take pride of my achievement in the Malaysian Open. I reached the final of a major tournament and I lost to the world number one,” said Chong Wei. 

“My performance in this tournament has given me a huge dose of confidence. But I am fully aware that I have not reach a standard to match the best players in the world. I have to go back and train hard if I want to beat a player like Chen Hong.” 

The next international assignment for Chong Wei is the Danish Open from Dec 23-28. 

Chen Hong acknowledged a gutsy performance by Chong Wei in the tournament by giving the Malaysian a pat on the back after the match. 

“He plays a tricky game and he is very quick too. But he certainly made a lot of unforced errors today,” said the Chinese, who featured in his seventh final in the last 10 tournaments. 

“I performed well even though the temperature was high and the conditions humid. I have been consistent and the secret is to play well in every game. I will take part in the Denmark and China Opens next and will go into these tournaments with the same approach.” 

Chen Hong's victory was the icing on the cake for the China team in the Malaysian Open. They won three out the five titles at stake to consolidate their positions as a dominant force in he game. 

In the women's singles, Zhou Mi defeated Camilla Martin of Denmark 11-1, 7-11, 11-5. In an all-Chinese women's doubles final, Yang Wei-Zhang Jiewen beat Gao Ling-Huang Sui 15-4, 1-15, 17-15. 

South Korean Kim Dong-moon won a double, partnering Ra Kyung-min for the mixed doubles title and teaming up Lee Dong-soo for the men's doubles crown. 

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