Chong Wei vows to keep on winning

The Malaysian, who entered Sunday’s final with victories in the VICTOR BWF Tremendous Series Finals 2010 in Taiwan and PROTON Malaysia Open (January), YONEX All England Open Super series Premier (March) and YONEX SUNRISE India Open Super series last week. They were also runners-up at the VICTOR Korea Open months ago.

Lee Chong Wei vowed to give hold on to his world No. one rating until the Olympics next year after winning his third straight YONEX SUNRISE Malaysia Open Grand Prix Gold crown and fifth title of the year.

I’m happy to have continued my winning streak this year. I require maintaining my No. one rating until next year’s Olympics as it will be my last try to win the gold said Chong Wei, who had announced his purpose to quit the sport after the London Games.

Playing in front of Sultan Abdul Halim himself, Chong Wei continued his domination of Bao Chunlai, who they has now beaten 12 times in 16 meetings together with his last loss coming in 2007. Chong Wei won 21-9, 21-19 to take home US$9,000 while Bao Chunlai walked away with US$4,560.

I now go in to every match feeling I can win them and I think that is a nice mentality to have with the World Championships coming up in August.

I have received some criticisms historically in the past regarding my failure to perform in the major tournaments and I have taken them on board. That is why it is nice to continue winning as it gives me more confidence.

Backed by the capacity crowd, Chong Wei rained in winners from all over the court to take the first game 21-9. It was a different story in the second as Chong Wei slowed the game down after making several errors, sending the shuttlecock long as they had trouble adjusting to the wind behind him.

The Malaysian, who was facing the wind in the first game of the final, attacked inexorably as a bewildered Bao Chunlai had no answer to his shots.

They looked in trouble as Bao Chunlai took a 19-17 lead but Chong Wei dug deep to take the last points.

Men’s singles: Lee Chong Wei (Mas) bt Bao Chunlai (China) 21-9, 21-19.

Mentally frail Saina loses to Wang Xin

Saina Nehwal admitted on Sunday he needs to be mentally stronger if he is to consistently beat the top Chinese players after falling to Wang Xin in the final of the YONEX SUNRISE Malaysia Open Grand Prix Gold. It was Wang Xin's first win of the year & he dedicated it to her father.

Saina & Wang Xin have been swapping places in the world rating with the Chinese player now ranked rung higher at No. three.

After crumbling to a devastating 13-21, 21-8, 21-14 loss, Saina said: “I made lots of mistakes in the match, in the second game. I was one time bothered by line calls in the third game & paid the final cost. I ought to have kept my cold & it is a nice lesson for me.”

A fiery Saina who, missed the PROTON Malaysia Open Super series in January because of an ankle injury, took the opening game with a mix of drops & well placed winners.

The second game was different as Wang Xin, who had won her earlier Open event matches against Saina, upped the pace to move her opponent all round the court.

Her speed & decisive smashes saw her take it 21-8 when Saina took it simple after losing three points in a row from 8-9 to fall behind 8-16.

Hoping to capitalize on her ”rest period” Saina began the decider more aggressively but Wang Xin kept up her momentum to close out the 48-minute match.

”This is the third time I’m losing to her, but I thought I could beat here as I am physically alright.” My ankle is not an issue as it is taped up & I won’t use that as an excuse.

”We were level at 14-14 when I sent crosscourt shots in to the net. From there Wang Xin took advantage to run away with the title.”

In the second game, I was one time trailing 8-9 when he won three points in a row, I took it simple as I desired to take a breather & catch her in the decider but it worked.

 The winner said: "This is my first in win of the year & I would love to dedicate it to my father."

Wang Xin made up for losing the 2009 final by adding this year’s title to the PROTON Malaysia Open Super series crown he won in 2010. Wang Xin took home US$9,480 while. Saina pocketed US$4,560.

 

Ladies

Singles: Wang Xin (China) bt Saina Nehwal (India) 13-21, 21-8, 21-14

Victory a big boost for Kien Keat-Boon Heong

Having failed to live up to expectations since winning the 2010 PROTON Malaysia Open Super series last January, Kien Keat-Boon Heong has come in from much criticism.

Former world No. 1s Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong finally ended a 16-month title drought in Open tournaments when they captured the YONEX SUNRISE Malaysia Open Grand Prix Gold on Sunday & declared the win will give their fragile confidence a large boost.

However, the duo have seldom let it get them down & are finally glad to have returned to the winner’s circle with a 21-16, 21-7 victory over Indonesia’s Alvent Yulianto Chandra-Hendra Aprida Gunawan.

Although the victory was simpler than expected (following an injury to Alvent), they are still satisfied with the win, said a relieved Kien Keat.

The Commonwealth Games gold took home the winner’s cheque for US$9,480 while the Indonesians had to be satisfied with US$4,560.

We will take a day’s rest before continuing with our training. Our next event is the Sudirman Cup at the finish of the month & I will try my best to help the country get to the final.

In a close first game, the Malaysians, with the winds at their back, played a smart tactical game to move the Indonesians all over the court before moving in for the kill.

The ploy worked to perfection as they carved out a 21-16 victory. In the second game, The Malaysians were more aggressive but didn’t must work hard after Alvent picked up his injury.