Smashing Lee back to world class ways

M’sian ace nails World No 1 Chen Long in straight sets

KUALA LUMPUR: National ace Datuk Lee Chong Wei regained his world-class touch to create history when he ended Malaysia’s 13-year wait to win the China Open title at the Haixia Olympic Sports Centre in Fuzhou, China, yesterday.

Arguably past his prime at age 33, the former world number one took 50 minutes to brush aside current world number one Chen Long of China in straight sets of 21-15 and 21-11 in the men’s singles final.

Chong Wei stayed true to the scintillating form he was showing after having beaten Jan O Jorgensen of Denmark in the quarter-finals and archrival Lin Dan of China, the current world number three, en route to yesterday’s final.

The last time a Malaysian won the title was in 2002 with Wong Choong Hann doing the honours.

However, badminton juggernaut China picked up the women’s singles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles but lost in the men’s doubles final.

Li Xuerui defeated Saina Nehwal of India in 21-12 21-15 in the women’s singles final that lasted only 39 minutes.

Yuanting Tang-Yang Yu were taken to three sets by Misaki Matsutomo-Ayaka Takahashmi of Japan in the women’s doubles final before prevailing in 18-21, 21-13, 21-12.

Nan Zhang/ Yunlei Zhao also had to contend with three sets against Joachim Fischer Nielsen/ Christinna Pedersen of Denmark before winning in 21-19, 17-21 and 21-19 in the mixed doubles final.

In the men’s doubles final, sixth seeded Chinese pair Chai BiaoHong Wei lost to the unseeded South Korean pair of Kim Gi Jung/ Kim Sa Rang in 21-13, 21-19.