CHONG WEI LOOKS ON BRIGHT SIDE
Run to Japan Open final restores former World No 1's confidence
LEE Chong Wei is not entirely disappointed to miss out on a seventh Japan Open title, following his defeat to Denmark's Viktor Axelsen in the men's singles final yesterday. In fact, the former World No 1 is pleased with his overall performance, despite losing 21-14, 19-21, 21-14 to the Danish world champion.
When contacted in Tokyo, Chong Wei who has now reached nine Japan Open finals, said: "I am not disappointed, I think I did really well to reach the final. This was my ninth Japan Open final, so I am pretty happy with that.
"Following my first round exit at the World Championships (in Glasgow) last month, I lost a lot of confidence, so coming here was not easy.
"My physical condition was not at its' best, so reaching the final here is a good sign. I think throughout the competition, today's (yesterday) match against Axelsen was the best. I wasn't thinking too much, just one match at a time.
"I now have about three weeks to go before the Denmark and French Opens next month, so I will take this time to prepare well."
Axelsen, who has only defeated Chong Wei once (at the 2016 World Super Series Finals) prior to the final at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, is also expected to move up to No 1 in the world when the new rankings list is published by the Badminton World Federation on Thursday.
The 23-year-old Dane, who saw off fivetime world champion Lin Dan to the world title last month, pocketed US$24,375 (RM102,000) in prize money while Chong Wei settled for US$12,350 (RM52,000).
Meanwhile in the women's singles final, Spain's Carolina Marin came out tops with a 23-21, 21-12 win over China's He Bing jiao.
RESULTS (all finals) – Men's singles:
Viktor Axelsen (Den) bt Lee Chong Wei 21-14, 19-21, 21-14; Doubles: Gideon Marcus Fernaldi-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo (Ina) bt Takuto Inoue-Yuki Kaneko (Jpn) 21-12, 21-15; Women's singles: Carolina Marin (Spa) bt He Bingjiao (Chn) 23-21, 21-12; Doubles: Misaki Matsutomo-Ayaka Takahashi (Jpn) bt Kim Ha Na-Kong Hee Yong (Kor) 21-18, 21-16; Mixed doubles: Wang Yilyu-Huang Dongping (Chn) bt Takuro Hoki-Sayaka Hirota (Jpn) 2113, 21-8.