Monday January 24, 2011

Lee just too good for Taufik in final

REPORTS By RAJES PAUL PIX By S.S. KANESAN and M. AZHAR ARIF

A PUMPED up Lee Chong Wei again showed that he is the undisputed king of his home Open.

The world No. 1 went on a whirlwind rampage to win the Malaysia Open title for a seventh time – beating Indonesian Taufik Hidayat 21-8, 21-17 in a 37-minute final at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

Chong Wei was one cut above Taufik in the opening game. In the art of deception in a cool and confident manner, he unleashed an array of tricky shots to outfox his opponent.

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He even had the chance to wrap up the match in quick time when he led 18-9 in the second game but he allowed Taufik to get back into the fight, conceding nine consecutive points.

Flying high: Lee Chong Wei going for a smash during the men’s singles final against Indonesia’s Taufik Hidayat yesterday. Chong Wei won 21-8, 21-17

Chong Wei managed to recover and then romped home, much to the delight of the home crowd.

With the comfortable win yesterday, Chong Wei is one title short of equalling the record of eight Malaysia Open men’s singles triumphs achieved by the late Wong Peng Soon.

Chong Wei, as usual, ran over to hug his coach, Misbun Sidek, after the victory.

On what his mentor said to him, Chong Wei replied: “He said that I deserved the title for all the hard work that I had put in. He was very happy.”

When some of the media caught up with Misbun for comments as he was leaving via the back exit of the stadium, he just flashed a smile and showed the thumbs up.

Chong Wei said that he was pleased to emerge as champion for the second time in two weeks after having nailed the Super Series Masters Finals crown for the third consecutive time in Taipei.

“There was pressure on me, being the only one, to shoulder the responsibility to win again and again. But I am happy I delivered by winning the Malaysia Open title for a seventh time,” he said.

“Taufik is my good friend and I did slow down a little in the second game .... but at this moment I am just so happy that I defeated him.”

On his next challenge in the US$1.2mil South Korea Open, he said: “It will be a challenge to win three titles in a month but I will try. I am leaving for Seoul tonight.”

Taufik, the 2000 Malaysia Open champion, admitted that he lost to a better player but threw a challenge to Chong Wei before leaving to catch a flight for Seoul.

China’s Tian Qing and Zhao Yunlei (left) celebrate after they beat compatriots Wang Xiaoli-Yu Yang in the women’s doubles final.

“He was so fast and played well. He again showed that he is the king when it comes to the Super Series events,” said Taufik.

“I think he gave me a chance in the second game.”

In jest, Taufik said: “Maybe he wanted to stay longer on the court to keep the fans happy.”

On the serious note, Taufik said: “I hope he can achieve the same in major tournaments like the world championships and Olympic Games. He shows great strength, physically and mentally, in the Super Series tournaments but somehow does not produce his best in major events.

“As for me, I will switch my attention to the South Korea Open. I wish that they had offered big prize money like this when I was much younger. Now, I have extra motivation to win there.”

China players, however, are the favourites for the titles and a clean sweep in Seoul is not beyond them. In the Malaysia Open, only the men’s singles title eluded the Chinese.

Men’s singles: Lee Chong Wei (Mas) bt Taufik Hidayat (Ina) 21-8, 21-17.

Men’s doubles: Chao Biao-Guo Zhengdong (Chn) bt Mads Conrad-Petersen-Jonas Rasmussen (Den) 21-16, 21-14.

Women’s singles: Wang Shixian (Chn) bt Wang Yihan (Chn) 21-18, 21-14.

Women’s doubles: Tian Qing-Zhou Yunlei (Chn) bt Wang Xiaoli-Yu Yang (Chn) 21-12, 6-21, 21-17.

Mixed doubles: He Hanbin-Ma Jin (Chn) bt Tao Jiaming-Tian Qing (Chn) 21-13, 13-21, 21-16.