Chong Wei sweeps aside Chen Long to clinch 11th Malaysia Open title

 

Chong Wei competes against Chen Long from China during final match of the 2016 Malaysia Open Badminton Superseries at the Malawati stadium in Shah Alam. — Bernama photo

SHAH ALAM: National badminton ace Datuk Lee Chong Wei displayed a class act to sweep aside world number one Chen Long of China in straight sets to clinch his 11th Malaysia Open title at the Malawati Stadium, here yesterday.

Chong Wei who came into the competition after two early round defeats in two consecutive tournaments – All England and India Open – was in his element today to beat Chen Long 21-13, 21-8, without losing much sweat.

Backed by a hostile crowd of about 10,000 fans, Chong Wei who started the match on an aggressive note, continued to put Chen Long on the receiving end with splendid cross court drops and side line smashes.

Having bagged the title 10 times before, it was not difficult to see a complete dominance by Chong Wei in the second set and a rather jaded looking Chen Long had no answer to the speed and agility of Chong Wei who wrapped up the victory with a 21-8 score.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor who is also the patron of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) presented the prizes to winners.

Chong Wei said he did not expect to beat Chen Long with such ease, especially in the second game.

“In the second game I was able to open a wide gap…whatever was Chen Long’s strategy there need to be the confidence feeling in a match. Thank you fans for backing me all the way. They were my motivation in the match. This will be my best motivation for the Olympics,” said Chong Wei.

But while Chong Wei was rejoicing his title after a barren run since the start of the year, leading National mixed doubles Chan Peng Soon/Goh Liu Ying failed to complete their fairy tale run in the competition after falling at the last hurdle to Indonesia’s world number one pair Tontowi Ahmad/Liyana Natsir.

Peng Soon-Liu Ying who lost the first game 21-23, staged a superb fightback to win the second 21-13 and force the outcome to be decided by a third game but after a good start, succumbed to the might of the Indonesian pair 16-21.

“We progressed in the competition well as our partnership had begun to blossom. We are improving in every match but we were not able to match their consistency today,” said Peng Soon.

Liu Ying said the combination with Peng Soon was getting better and with the Olympics around the corner, it was timely. — Bernama

“For us every match is a lesson and an opportunity to correct our mistakes,” she said.

— BERNAMA

NS NS JRL

10/04/2016 19:04:06ST

 

 

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