Kuala Lumpur: National badminton ace Datuk Lee Chong Wei ended an eight-month title drought in style by beating his arch rival Chen Long from China to win the Hong Open Super Series singles title at the Hong Kong Coliseum, Sunday.Chong Wei and Chen Long, meeting for the first time this year, showcased a high pedigree of skills to mesmerise the hostile crowd that was divided in their support for two of the world's most prolific shuttlers.The Malaysian ace's 21-14, 21-19 straight sets victory over Chen Long in 46 minutes was also sweet revenge for Chong Wei after having lost to his Chinese nemesis at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in Brazil, last year.
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After winning the All England title in March, Chong Wei who was tipped to mount a serious challenge for the World Championships held in Scotland in August, had however, suffered numerous setbacks after losing in the first round of the championships.Meanwhile, the victory was Chong Wei's fifth Hong Kong Open title after having won in 2009, 2010, 2013 and 2015.
According to Chong Wei, the win today had rekindled his desire and confidence to continue producing consistent performances at the highest level, including at the Dubai World Super Series Final 2017, next month."Thank you my fans in Hong Kong for your continuous support throughout the tournament.
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I will be back to meet you next year. The win has also given me a much needed boost," he said when interviewed by Astro Supersports, Sunday. Chong Wei's triumph came at a time when his old nemesis Lin Dan of China suffered defeats in the China Open and the quarter-finals in Hong Kong earlier this week.
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In the women's singles world number one Tai Tzu-ying of Taiwan stunned India's Pusarla V Sindhu 21-18, 21-18 as the young top seeds slogged it out in a 45-minute battle.Olympic silver medallist Sindhu, 22, also lost out to the 23-year-old Taiwanese star in last year's Hong Kong Open.China's Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong took just 35 minutes to seal a 21-15, 21-13 victory over Danish shuttlers Mathias Christiansen and Christinna Pedersen in the mixed doubles final.
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Marcus Fernaldi Gideon and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo of Indonesia beat Mads Conrad-Petersen and Mads Pieler Kolding of Denmark 21-12, 21-18 in the men's doubles final.Top seeded Chinese duo Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan clawed their way back from a deficit in a battle lasting one hour and 10 minutes, defeating Indonesia's Greysia Polii and Apriyani Rahayu 14-21, 21-16, 21-15 in the women's doubles final. – Bernama/AFP
