Lee makes departure from past, wins title
NEW DELHI: As chants of ' Lee Chong Wei Boleh' filled the hall, the man in question, did not disappoint. ' Malaysia Boleh' (the national cry) when translated, means ' Malaysia can'. Unlike last year's surprising loss in the final, fans who put their faith in the world No 1 shuttler, went home satisfied on Sunday evening.
It took the two-time Olympic silver-medallist some time, 62 minutes to be precise, and a few tense moments, but in the end he clinched his second India Open Super Series title. " It's for Kingston," said Lee, dedicating the 21-15, 18-21, 2117 victory over Kenichi Tago to his baby boy.
Relieved to not go down last year's path? "Oh yes, very," he laughed. " But I always seem to lose the second game!"
SIXTH STRAIGHT LOSS
The rut started in London when she lost in the round of 16 to the rising shuttler from Thailand.
Since then to this day, the count stands at six. "Everyone at London kept saying I lost to a youngster, but look at her now," exclaimed world No 4 Juliane Schenck. The German was vying for her first title in India but was halted by Thai teenager Ratchanok Intanon in 45 minutes.
Playing a fantastic net game, the 18- year- old world No 6 caught Schenk on the wrong foot plenty of times on way to her first Super Series victory. In the process, however, Ratchanok made unforced errors. "I was hurrying to finish," the shy teen explained via a translator after the 22-20, 2114 win.
PERFECT RECORD
Lee faced off against Tago, the world No 9, for the 13th time at Siri Fort. With a perfect record against the Japanese, the Malaysian had no interest in ruining it. After Lee ran away with the first game, Tago came back strongly in the second.
His frequent winners left Lee's fans tense in the decider, but in the end the unforced errors got to him.
When Lee smashed a crosscourt winner on match point, the noise from the stands could have easily surpassed permissible limits.