Bangkok: Lee Zii Jia of Malaysia produced a stunning comeback from 4-11, 13-17 in the decider to beat Li Shi Feng of China and clinch the 2022 Thailand Open on Sunday.
Highlights – Thailand Open men’s singles final between Lee Zii Jia and Li Shi Feng:
Li appeared to be cruising when he took the first game 21-17 in 21 minutes.
The regrouped and recomposed Lee then quickly race to 7-2 in the second game before holding an 11-5 advantage at the interval. Although Li Shi Feng tried to narrow the gap at 8-11, Lee continued to unleash his ruthless attacks to force a decider by winning the second set 21-11.
In the third set, Li stepped up his aggression to immediately establish an 8-4, 11-4 advantage. After changing sides, Lee scored three consecutive points to close the gap at 7-11, but Li Shi Feng continued to maintain a handsome 17-13 lead.
However, when all those expectations appeared to be favoring Li Shi Feng, Lee showed his never give up attitude and slowly claw his way back from 16-18 down to level the score at 19-19. At 19-20, Lee saved a match-point through his insane defense to force the deuce. The Malaysian then claimed the match-point when Li Shi Feng misjudged a push from Lee towards his right baseline in which the shuttlecock landed inbound. Lee was roaring as he dropped to his knees with a 23-21 third-set victory.
“It was a tough match. Shi Feng played very well, not only today but throughout the tournament. He was a tough opponent. I am very happy to win today,” said Lee.
“I told myself not to give up when I was down by 4-11 in the third set. At that critical moment, I calmed myself down and faced the battle,” added Lee.
Lee admitted that he was mentally and physically exhausted, after playing in several back-to-back high-intensity tournaments in the last few weeks – the Badminton Asia Championship and the Thomas Cup.
“I really want this title,” continued Lee.
Lee took home prize money of US $27,000 while Li Shi Feng pocketed US $13,680.
In the mixed doubles final, No. 2 seeds Zheng Si Wei/Huang Ya Qiong of China proved they are still the strongest mixed doubles pair in the world as they dispatched the No. 1 seeds Dechapol Puavaranukroh/Sapsiree Taerattanachai of Thailand 21-12, 18-21, 21-14.
Meanwhile, Taiwan’s Tai Tzu Ying won the women’s singles after beating China’s Chen Yu Fei, 21-13,17-21, 21-12.
In the women’s doubles event, Japanese pair Nami Matsuyama/Chiharu Shida defeated compatriots Mayu Matsumoto/Wakana Nagahara, 17-21,21-15, 26-24.
Japan’s reigning men’s doubles World Champions Takuro Hoki/Yugo Kobayashi won the Thailand Open title easily after the Indonesian pair Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto retired when Hoki/Kobayashi were leading 13-4 in the first set.
