LEE Chong Wei found his match in the final of the Hong Kong Open as
Chen Long of China outplayed the World No 1 to secure the super series
crown in Kowloon yesterday.Chong Wei, despite reaching the final easily, lost steam as Chen Long's far superior physical condition helped him register a 21-19, 21-17 win in 57 minutes.
It was Chong Wei's first defeat since the London Olympics and lack of preparation, disrupted by his wedding on Nov 10, gave Chen Long the edge.
Chong Wei's involvement in the Macau Open will now turn into a holiday for him and wife Wong Mew Choo as the former is not in ideal condition to play in back-to-back tournaments.
The World Super Series Finals in Shenzen on Dec 12-16 will be his next outing where Chong Wei should be in a better position to seek revenge over Chen Long for his defeat yesterday.
Men's doubles Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, currently ranked World No 2, stretched their barren run in the super series to 35 months when they lost to Olympic champions Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng of China 21-16, 21-17 in 43 minutes.
The Hong Kong Open was their third final since the failure to capture a medal in the Olympics but Kien Keat-Boon Heong, yet again, failed to make a mark.
Cai Yun-Haifeng have not been at their best since returning to competition last month but still managed to notch their 11th win in 16 meetings with Kien Keat-Boon Heong.
The only relief for Kien Keat-Boon Heong was that Cai Yun-Haifeng's victory was still not enough to help them qualify for the Super Series Finals, meaning the Malaysians will have have one top pair less to worry about in their bid to make at least the semi-finals.
Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng's victory completed a China clean sweep in the last super series tournament of the year.
Courtesy of New Straits Times
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