Chong Wei edges closer to ninth title

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KUALA LUMPUR: World number one men’s singles shuttler Datuk Lee Chong Wei is just one step away from winning the Malaysian Open title for the ninth time after the top seed marched into the final of the RM1.206 million tournament which is being held at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil, here.

The 30-year old Penangite and defending champion however was given a tough fight by young Danish shuttler, Jan O Jorgensen before registering a 21-13, 17-21 and 21-12 victory in an exciting semi-final match before almost 4,000 local supporters at the venue yesterday.

Chong Wei will square off against Sony Dwi Kuncoro of Indonesia in the final after the eight seed pulled off an upset against second seed, Kenichi Tago of Japan in 21-12, 19-21 and 23-21 in another gruelling semi-final match which lasted in 72 minute.

National top mixed doubles pair, Chan Peng Soon and Goh Liu Ying also ended their jinx to enter their first Malaysian Open final when they outplayed fourth seeds Robert Mateusiak/Nadiezda Zieba of Poland to secure a 12-21, 21-18 and 21-16 victory in an hour-long match.

Chan and Goh, the top seeds, are expected to get a stiff fight from Danish pair Joachim Fischer Nielsen and Christinna Pedersen in the final.

The second seeded Danes easily crushed Praveen Jordan/Vita Marissa of Indonesia in 21-14 and 21-17.

The local supporters’ hopes to see other Malaysian players in final action today were dashed after national men’s doubles pair, Goh V Shem and Lim Khim Wah lost to Ko Sung Hyun and Lee Yong Dae of South Korea in 11-21 and 15-21 in just 34 minutes in the semi-final.

The South Korean pair will meet Indonesia’s fifth seeded Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan in the final after the pair defeated Chai Biao/Liu Xiaolong of China 21-12 and 21-11 in the other semi-final match.

The finals start at 2pm today. — Bernama