KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians Lee Chong Wei and Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong took different routes into the men’s singles and doubles finals of the Macau Open badminton championships yesterday.
While top seed and World No. 1 Chong Wei comfortably saw off Indonesian youngster Alamsyah Yunus 21-13, 21-14 in 37 minutes, Kien Keat-Boon Heong had to stave of a late charge from Indonesian youngsters Fernando Kurniawan-Lingga Lie before prevailing 21-14, 25-23.
Chong Wei will now take on former Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat, who ended Malaysian Kuan Beng Hong’s hot streak with a 21-11, 21-12 win in just 29 minutes.
If Taufik, who is coming out of a demoralising first-round defeat by Malaysia’s Wong Choong Hann at the Beijing Olympic Games, plays to his true form, then badminton fans can expect a cracking final.
National coach Misbun Sidek acknowledged that today’s final would be one of the biggest tests for Olympic silver medallist Chong Wei, who has yet to win a title when ranked as world No. 1.
“Based on the way he has been playing here, I think Taufik is going to make it tough for Chong Wei tomorrow (today),” said Misbun in a telephone interview.
“It looks as if Taufik is determined to win his first title of the year.
“Against Beng Hong, he was smashing and attacking a lot. We have not seen this from Taufik for a while now.”
Misbun said that Chong Wei too seemed bent on justifying his top seeding.
“He is at a stage where he is trying to justify his world No. 1 ranking. As the world’s top player, it is no longer just about reaching the final but winning titles consistently,” said Misbun.
“Chong Wei is varying his game and trying all kind of ways to accomplish this. He is now the world No. 1 who does not want to lose. He does not get any satisfaction from just reaching finals. I hope he will pull it off.”
If Chong Wei is seeking to win his first title as a top seed, defending champions Kien Keat-Boon Heong will be looking for their first Open title this year when they take on Taiwan’s Fang Chieh-min-Lee Sheng-mu.
Former internationals Chan Chong Ming-Chew Choon Eng failed to make it an all-Malaysian final in the men’s doubles after going down fighting 18-21, 21-14, 11-21 to Chieh-min-Sheng-mu.
Men’s singles: Lee Chong Wei (Mas) bt Alamsyah Yunus (Ina) 21-13, 21-14; Taufik Hidayat (Ina) bt Kuan Beng Hong (Mas) 21-11, 21-12.
Men’s doubles: Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong (Mas) bt Fernando Kurniawan-Lingga Lie (Ina) 21-14, 25-23; Fang Chieh-min-Lee Sheng-mu (Tpe) bt Chan Chong Ming-Chew Choon Eng (Mas) 21-18, 14-21, 21-11.
Women’s singles: Julia Wong (Mas) bt Yip Pui Yin (Hkg) 17-21, 23-21, 21-17; Zhou Mi (Hkg) bt Zhu Jingjing (Chn) 20-22, 21-18, 21-16.
Women’s doubles: Cheng Shu-Zhao Yunlei (Chn) bt Wang Si Yun-Zhang Jinkang (Chn) 18-21, 21-17, 21-19; Ma Jin-Wang Xiaoli (Chn) bt Ng Hu i Lin-Woon Khe Wei (Mas) 21-12, 21-12.
Mixed doubles: Wiratama Yohan Hadikusumo-Chau Hoi Wah (Hkg) bt Chai Biao-Wang Xioli (Chn) 21-15, 21-14; Xu Chen-Zhao Yunlei (Chn) bt Wang Chia-min-Wang Pei-rong (Tpe) 21-15, 21-17.