Lee Chong Wei

Lee Chong Wei, Lee Chong Wei believes in the saying: “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”.

So, he’s going to mix it up and have fun in the Selangor Open starting at Stadium Juara in Bukit Kiara tomorrow – by playing in only the mixed doubles.

Vivian Hoo will be his partner, but his mere presence is bound to raise the level of interest in the tournament with the fans wanting to catch a glimpse of the world No. 1 men’s singles player in action.

The undisputed king of the local circuit – he has been unbeaten on home soil for the last 10 years in the singles – said he just wanted to have some fun to break the tedium of training for the All-England and the London Olympics.

He said his absence in the singles would pave the way for others to shine.

“I wanted to support the local tournament but didn’t want play in the singles. The best option was to try something new so I decided to play in the mixed doubles with Vivian,” said Chong Wei.

“I hope that the back-up singles players will take the opportunity to showcase their talents.

“The last time I played mixed doubles was during my junior days.

“It will be fun to try it again. It’s only a 16-draw competition so it will give me more time to focus on my preparations for the All-England (March 6-11),” said Chong Wei.

But Chong Wei’s mixed doubles calibre cannot be underestimated as he was the 2002 Malaysian Games (Sukma) champion with Chin Eei Hui for Penang.

Chong Wei-Vivian, who take on Mohd Hashim-Ho Bee Ling from Selangor-Kuala Lumpur in the opening round, are in the same half as second seeds Tan Aik Quan-Lai Pei Jing. The overwhelming favourites are top seeds, and Olympic-bound, Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying.

In the absence of Chong Wei in the men’s singles, top seed Liew Daren and second seed Mohd Arif Abdul Latif are expected to make the final but they can expect world junior champion Zulfadli Zulkifli to ruffle some feathers.

In the men’s doubles, top pair Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong are playing but with different partners. Boon Heong will team up with Peng Soon while Kien Keat will partner Lim Khim Wah.

Lee Chong Wei

Lee Chong Wei, World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei suffered a new disappointment at the hands of China’s Chen Long, when he lost 15-21, 18-21 in men’s singles final of the Denmark Open yesterday.

Immediately after the loss, Chong Wei Chen said the 22-year-old Long has become a real challenge outside Lin Dan of China for the Olympics next year in London.

Chong Wei hoped a rematch after losing to Chen Long in the Japan Open final last month, but to his surprise, the Chinese proved a more difficult opponent.

While Malaysia was slower than usual, the Chinese took control of the match from the start with its excellent coverage of the court, the superior solid net play and attacking.

Undoubtedly, top seed Chong Wei had some good tricks up his sleeve, but it was Chen Long, who held all the aces, games at home a convincing winner in consecutive games.

Chong Wei was late tenth year, but probably its weakest performances so far.

Malaysia was disappointed that the world number three Long Chen had prevented him win his seventh title twice in a month. Chong Wei had won six titles – the Super Series Masters Finals, Malaysia Open, All England Open in India, Malaysia Open Gold Grand Prix and this year’s Indonesia Open

“I have to admit that has proved a tough opponent for me. He is so full of confidence and has become more difficult to beat,” said a dejected Chong Wei, who just turned on Friday 29th.

“He had read my game too. It shows a better control and makes fewer mistakes. The game has become more polished.

“At this point, has become a challenge for me for the Olympic Games. My rival Lin Dan is not alone,” said Chong Wei.

Despite the setback, Chong Wei is ready to make peace in the French Open which starts on Wednesday in Paris.

“My priority is the main event. I will stay focused and try to recover from this defeat. Even Lin Dan lost a little known player here in Denmark. Therefore, it is time to put this defeat behind and stay focused on what Most importantly for me – the Olympic Games next year, “he said.

China, also returned home with two other titles that maintain their supremacy in women’s events when Wang Xin and Wang Xiaoli Yang Yu-bags singles and doubles events titles, respectively.

However, the power of badminton refused to make a clean sweep when Joachim Fischer Nielsen of Denmark-Christinna Pedersen and Lee Yong-Dae-Jung Jae-sung emerged as the champion of men’s doubles and mixed doubles respectively.

Results

(All finals)

> MEN

Singles: Chen Long (CHN) bt Lee Chong Wei (Mas) 21-15, 21-18.

Doubles: Lee Yong-Dae-Jung Jae-sung (Kor) bt Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng (CHN) 21-16, 21-17.

> WOMEN

Singles: Wang Xin (CHN) bt Yihan Wang (CHN) 21-14, 23-21.

Doubles: Wang Xiaoli-Yu Yang (CHN) bt Yunlei Zhao-Tian Qing (CHN) 22-20, 21-16.

Mixed Doubles: Joachim Fischer Nielsen-Christinna Pedersen (Denmark) bt Chen Xu, Ma Jin (CHN) 22-20, 21-16.