Tag: BWF Super Series

Now the hard work begins for Malaysian doubles (pic)

BUKIT JALIL: Malaysia used to be a force to be reckoned with in the men’s doubles, and in the past few years the hope of seeing those glory days again became dim.

However, Lim Khim Wah-Goh V Shem’s performance at the Maybank Malaysian Open is set to be the catalyst for many more victories in the men’s doubles department. Newly crowned Malaysian Open doubles champions Lim Khim Wah (left) and Goh V Shem must now kick on to win more titles away from home if they want to be regarded as a formidable pair.

On Sunday, the Malaysian pair downed China’s Chai Biao-Hong Wei 21-19, 21-18 to lift their first Malaysian Open title. It ended Malaysia’s four-year wait for a Super Series title, which was last won by Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong in 2010.

National doubles coach Pang Cheh Chang described the victory as a breakthrough and a boost for the team and the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).

Continue reading Now the hard work begins for Malaysian doubles (pic)

A long dry spell ahead if Chong Wei retires (pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: For a decade, world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei has feasted Malaysian fans with outstanding badminton results.

Fans can now expect a dry season for a long time in the men’s singles department if Chong Wei retires because there are neither talents coming through nor an effective programme implemented at the grassroots level. It seems BAM are no closer to finding the successor to Lee Chong Wei who said he may retire from the game after the Asian Games in October, after winning his 10th Malaysian Open badminton championship on Sunday.

On Sunday, Chong Wei defeated Tommy Sugiarto of Indonesia in the men’s singles final of the Maybank Malaysian Open to win his 10th home title – a feat that no others have achieved on the international circuit.

The two closest consistent winners on the international stage were eight-time All England champion Rudy Hartono and the late Wong Peng Soon, who had also won eight home titles.

Continue reading A long dry spell ahead if Chong Wei retires (pic)

Li’s comeback is a sweet success (pic)

CHINA’s Li Xuerui made a successful return from injury to win her first Maybank Malaysian Open title at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

The world No. 1 proved too strong for compatriot Wang Shixian, winning 21-16, 21-17 in the women’s singles final on Sunday.

And Xuerui thanked her lucky stars after pulling off the victory.China's Li Xuerui screams in delight after clinching her first Malaysian Open title on Sunday. She defeated compatriot Wang Shixian in the final.

“I am delighted to win this title for the first time here in Malaysia. After suffering from injury at the end of last year, I was doubtful about my performance. But luck was on my side today,” said Xuerui.

Continue reading Li’s comeback is a sweet success (pic)

Badminton Superstar Lee Chong Wei takes 10th Malaysian Open title (pic)

Lee Chong Wei took a record 10th Malaysian Open title on Sunday to strengthen his dominance of the badminton world rankings, but said he was unsure whether he would make it to the Olympics.

KUALA LUMPUR: Lee Chong Wei took a record 10th Malaysian Open title on Sunday to strengthen his dominance of the badminton world rankings, but said he was unsure whether he would make it to the Olympics. Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia kisses the trophy on the podium after winning the men's singles final match against Tommy Sugiarto of Indonesia during their Malaysia Open Badminton Superseries in Kuala Lumpur. Lee won 21-19, 21-9.

The Malaysian ace won his match against determined fourth seed Tommy Sugiarto 21-19, 21-9, after beating him in their eight previous meetings.

Underdog Sugiarto put up a fight, leading all the way before Lee edged ahead at 20-19 and sealed the first game. Lee then cruised to the title with a 21-9 scoreline in the second game, earning him US$37,500.

Continue reading Badminton Superstar Lee Chong Wei takes 10th Malaysian Open title (pic)

The king – Lee Chong Wei, rules again (pic)

CLASSY: Chong Wei remains untouchable on home ground but the ageing player hints of retirement

LEE Chong Wei proved that he is the king of the (Maybank) Malaysia Open as he accomplished the goal of winning the 10th title and also dropped a strong hint that he is set to retire at the end of this year.Lee Chong Wei kisses his trophy after winning the Maybank Malaysia Open yesterday.

   The pressure had weighed on Chong Wei who had a sluggish start against Tommy Sugiarto of Indonesia before winning 21-19, 21-9 in 47 minutes at Putra Stadium yesterday to become the most successful player in the men's singles of the Malaysia Open.

   No player has won the same tournament more than eight times. Wong Peng Soon had won the Malaysia Open (then Malaya Open) eight times while Rudy Hartono and Denmark's Morten Frost Hansen had reached similar numbers in the All England and Denmark Open respectively.

Continue reading The king – Lee Chong Wei, rules again (pic)

Emotional Lee hints of retiring at year-end (pic)

BUKIT JALIL: World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei sank to his knees with his head bowed down.

When he got up, tears were rolling down his cheeks. His fanatical fans stood up and gave him a deserving standing ovation. A beaming Lee Chong Wei carries his son, Kingston, after winning the Malaysian Open badminton championship title for the 10th time on Sunday at Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

It was an emotional moment for the 31-year-old Lee Chong Wei when he amazingly landed his 10th, and maybe final, Malaysian Open title at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Sunday.

He had to stave off an early assault from a ferocious Tommy Sugiarto of Indonesia before subduing him for a 21-19, 21-9 win in a 47-minute men’s singles clash.

Immediately after the triumph, he revealed that he may retire at the end of the year.

Continue reading Emotional Lee hints of retiring at year-end (pic)

Khim Wah-V Shem claim doubles title… at last (pic)

BUKIT JALIL: Lim Khim Wah-Goh V Shem finally nailed their first Super Series title.

And what better way to mark their breakthrough than in front of a vociferous home crowd cheering them all the way at the Putra Stadium.Remember their names. Lim Khim Wah (left) and Goh V Shem are the 2014 Malaysian Open men's doubles champions.

Understandably, the duo just could not hold back their delight as they jumped up in joy after scoring the winning point as a wild celebration erupted inside the stadium.

On Sunday, the duo proved to be the new heroes for the country when they dumped China’s Chai Biao and Hong Wei 21-19, 21-18 to claim the title at the Maybank Malaysian Open.

The Malaysian fans joined in the celebration and one can hardly blame them as they have been starved of a men’s doubles major title for the last four years.

Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong were the last pair to win a Super Series title, also at home in 2010.

Continue reading Khim Wah-V Shem claim doubles title… at last (pic)

Perfect 10 is on for Chong Wei (pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei is just one step away from winning his 10th Malaysian Open title but hang on! The man he was least expected to meet – Indonesia’s Tommy Sugiarto – could spoil his party.

Chong Wei and Tommy won their semi-final matches in contrasting fashion at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Saturday to set up an intriguing men’s singles final on Sunday.Lee Chong Wei consoles his semi-final opponent from Denmark Jan O Jorgensen after latter retired injured from their match at Putra Stadium on Saturday.

Chong Wei stepped onto the court bracing for a gigantic fight from Jan O Jorgensen of Denmark. Instead, his opponent gave up halfway due to a muscle strain on his right thigh.

Chong Wei won 21-13, 3-0 in 27 minutes.

Continue reading Perfect 10 is on for Chong Wei (pic)

Finally… Malaysian pair are in the final (pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah showed plenty of fire and resilience en route to becoming the first Malaysian men’s doubles pair to reach the final of the Maybank Malaysian Open since 2010. 

The pair, back together for a third time after splitting up twice, were outstanding as they fought back from a game down to beat Indonesia’s Angga Pratama-Rian Agung Saputra.Malaysian men's pair Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah are through to the final of the Malaysian Open after beating their Indonesian opponents in three sets on Saturday.
The world No. 17, backed by a vociferous home crowd, won 23-25, 21-13, 22-20 in 72 minutes.
It could have ended earlier had V Shem-Khim Wah made the most of the two game points in the first game. Continue reading Finally… Malaysian pair are in the final (pic)

Danish pair banking on home comfort (pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: Home is where the heart is.

And Denmark’s mixed doubles pair of Christina Pedersen and Joachim Fischer Nielsen intend to bank on home advantage to clinch their first World Championships gold medal when the prestigious tournament is held in Copenhagen in August.Christinna Pedersen-Joachim Fischer Nielsen are through to the mixed doubles final at the Malaysian Open badminton championship after beating Olympic champions Ma Jin-Zhao Yunlei in the semis at Putra Stadium on Saturday.

They are confident of doing well at home after shocking Olympic gold medallists Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei of China 21-10, 21-12 in the semi-finals of the Maybank Malaysian Open at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

Continue reading Danish pair banking on home comfort (pic)