Coach expects Daren to train harder and prove he is no flash in the pan

KUALA LUMPUR: Shuttler Liew Daren’s breakthrough win in the French Open has been like a breath of fresh air for a nation so heavily dependant on world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei for so long.
It’s good to have someone other than Chong Wei winning international titles but national coach Tey Seu Bock prefers to temper his enthusiasm and excitement until Daren can prove that his win is not a flash in the pan.
Seu Bock hopes that the 25-year-old late bloomer will ride on his success and continue with his exploits at the last two Super Series events – in China (Nov 13-18) and Hong Kong Open (Nov 20-25).
On Sunday, Daren completed a good week in Paris with a strong finish – beating Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen for the title.
It was his first international title since joining the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) set-up nine years ago. Seu Bock is happy with Daren’s breakthrough but doesn’t want to make the mistake of going overboard in celebrating his victory – not yet, at least.
“Daren has finally won ... and he deserves the plaudits. He must now work even harder and show that he is not a one-time wonder,” Seu Bock said before leaving home with the team yesterday.
“His next mission will be to continue with his positive attitude and winning ways at the China Open and Hong Kong Open.”
The win in Paris is expected to catapult Daren, currently ranked 24th in the world, into the top 20 for the first time. Seu Bock is glad that the regular sparring with Chong Wei over the last two years has sparked off a revival of sorts for Daren.
“He has learnt to be more focused, like Chong Wei, in tournaments. I believe he has also learnt how to stay on top of his game during crucial stages – just like Chong Wei – and win points despite coming under tremendous pressure,” said Seu Bock. “Daren still has a lot to learn before he can be considered an established player.
“This is a small step and he must now learrn to maintain this level of play – and emulate the top players’ ability in maintaining consistency at the highest level.”
Chong Wei Feng too has shown a positive attitude in his game and, hopefully, will be able to overcome his lack of consistency so that Malaysia can count on its second echelon of players for honours.
The attention will now shift to the men’s singles back-up players at the Bitburger Open Grand Prix Gold in Germany beginning tomorrow.
Malaysia will be hoping that more young stars will step up. All eyes will be on reigning Pahang Open champion Misbun Ramdan Misbun, Mohd Arif Abdul Latif, Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin, Goh Soon Huat and last year’s world junior champion Zulfadli Zulkifli.

The Star

Axelsen may face yet another Malaysian jinx in Japan

KUALA LUMPUR: Can another Malaysian spoil the party for Denmark’s rising star Viktor Axelsen for the third consecutive week?
If everything goes according to the formbook, top national junior Soong Joo Ven could very well be the guy to do it – he’s drawn to take on Axelsen in the semi-finals of the boys’ singles individual event in the World Junior Championships in Chiba, Japan.
The individual events begin today.
In the draw released by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) yesterday, joint third-fourth seed Joo Ven is in the same half as top seed Axelsen.
In the last two weeks, the 19-year-old Axelsen has lost to two Malaysian shuttlers. He lost 8-21, 18-21 in the opening round of the Denmark Open at his birth place – Odense – to world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei two weeks ago.
On Sunday, the lanky Danish shuttler was made to eat humble pie by Liew Daren in the French Open final in Paris.
Malaysia’s national junior programme manager Hau Kim Tho said that fatigue could derail Axelsen’s bid for his second world junior title.
“Viktor has raised his game since winning the 2010 world junior title and will be the favourite. However, there could be added pressure on him as he has already made his mark at the senior level,” said Kim Tho.
Axelsen showed that he is the future for Denmark and an able replacement for Peter-Gade Christensen when he became his country’s first world junior champion in 2010. Last year, however, he lost to Zulfadli Zulkifli in the final.
“He has also been playing in back-to-back European tournaments, so I’m not sure if he is physically ready for his third consecutive tournament,” said Kim Tho.
“Besides Viktor, Japan’s Kento Momota is another player capable of winning the world junior title. The shuttlers from China, South Korea, Indonesia and Thailand may not be highly ranked but they cannot be underestimated either.
“They do not compete in many international tournaments, so we do not know their strength.”
Axelsen will have to be in a tip-top shape as he has to play four rounds before he can reach the last eight of the 128-player boys’ singles event.
He faces tricky ties against China’s Xue Song, Malaysia’s Tan Kian Meng and India’s Rohit Yadav in his quarter.
In Asian junior runner-up Joo Ven’s quarter are Thailand’s Thammasin Sittikom and Indonesia’s Akbar Panji – both tough customers.
Second seed and reigning Asian junior champion Kento Momota of Japan is in the lower half with Hong Kong’s Ng Ka Long, Thailand’s Khosit Phetpradab and Malaysia’s Soo Teck Zhi.
Malaysia will be hard-pressed for podium finishes in the other events, although the likes of Tan Wee Gieen-Tai An Khang, Darren Isac Devadass-Ong Yew Sin (boys’ doubles); Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Yeah (girls’ doubles); and Wee Gieen-Mei Kuan (mixed doubles) could defy the odds in the prestigious event.

Daren belum layak ganti Chong Wei - Rashid

DAREN meraih kejayaan pertamanya dalam Kejohanan Siri Super selepas muncul juara pada Terbuka Perancis kelmarin.

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MASIH terlalu awal untuk melabel Liew Daren sebagai pengganti jaguh No. 1 negara, Datuk Lee Chong Wei.
Demikian tegas ketua jurulatih badminton perseorangan negara, Ra- shid Sidek (gambar kecil) semalam.
Kelmarin, Daren merekodkan kejuaraan pertama dalam kariernya apabila melakar kejutan menjuarai Kejohanan Badminton Siri Super Terbuka Perancis 2012.
Kejayaan itu hadir selepas dia menumbangkan bekas juara remaja dunia, Viktor Axelsen dari Denmark 21-18, 21-17 pada final yang berlangsung di Paris.
Ekoran kejayaan itu, peminat-peminat sukan badminton tanah air sudah pastinya boleh menarik nafas lega kerana selama ini mereka bimbang mengenai ketiadaan pemain berkualti bagi menggantikan Chong Wei yang juga merupakan pemain No. 1 dunia.
Bagaimanapun Rashid berkata, masih banyak yang perlu diperbaiki oleh Daren yang kini merupakan pemain perseorangan kedua terbaik negara di belakang Chong Wei bagi mengekalkan konsistensi dalam setiap kejohanan yang disertainya selepas ini.
"Daren perlu lebih fokus dan komited lagi semasa sesi latihan bagi meningkatkan prestasi permainannya. Jadi, masih terlalu awal untuk kita menilai dia sebagai pengganti Chong Wei.
"Sukar untuk saya jelaskan apa kelemahan yang perlu diperbaiki Daren tetapi yang pasti masih banyak yang perlu dilakukannya untuk berada dalam kelompok elit dunia.
"Namun secara keseluruhan, prestasinya pada Terbuka Perancis kali ini sangat membanggakan. Tiada siapa pun jangka yang dia boleh menjadi juara," kata Rashid ketika dihubungi Kosmo! di Paris kelmarin.
Menurut Rashid, kejuaraan yang dilakar Daren pada Terbuka Perancis kali ini bakal menjadi tonik terbaik untuk dia melakarkan lebih banyak kejayaan pada masa akan datang, sekali gus berada dalam kelompok pemain terbaik dunia.
"Ini (kejayaan bergelar juara Terbuka Perancis) adalah permulaan untuk Daren menjadi pemain yang lebih disegani pada masa akan datang.
"Saya harap kejayaan kali ini akan menjadi suntikan semangat buat Daren melakukan yang lebih baik dalam kejohanan seterusnya. Dia perlu bekerja keras bagi meningkatkan prestasinya.
"Jika dia mampu melakukannya, saya percaya dia boleh menjadi salah seorang pemain terbaik dunia," jelas Rashid.
Sebelum ini, Rashid mendedahkan bahawa Daren mempunyai kelemahan dari aspek mental kerana masih belum mampu mengatasi tekanan yang dihadapinya apabila berdepan situasi kritikal dalam perlawanan.
Namun, berdasarkan corak permainannya kelmarin, Daren membuktikan bahawa dia kini sudah lebih matang dan secara berperingkat-peringkat telah memperbaiki kelemahannya itu.
Lebih menarik, sepanjang laluannya ke pentas final, Daren berjaya menewaskan tiga pemain pilihan iaitu, Hu Yun (Hong Kong) pada pusingan kedua, pemain Jepun, Sho Sasaki (suku akhir) dan Jan O Jorgensen dari Denmark (separuh akhir).
Kejohanan Terbuka Perancis kali ini merupakan kemuncak terhadap peningkatan prestasi yang dipamerkan Daren dalam saingan tahun ini bermula dengan kejayaan mara ke peringkat suku akhir Seluruh England, diikuti suku akhir Terbuka Switzerland, suku akhir Terbuka Singapura dan suku akhir Terbuka Denmark minggu lalu.

French Open: Daren makes breakthrough with Super Series title triumph

Flying high: Liew Daren beat Dane Viktor Axelsen 21-18, 21-17 in the French open final in Paris to seal his first major title yesterday.

National elite shuttler Liew Daren finally achieved the breakthrough he badly desired by stunning Viktor Axelsen of Denmark 21-18, 21-17 in just 42 minutes to win the French Open Super Series yesterday.
That victory ensured the 25-year-old Daren’s first major title in the international senior scene.
It was a sterling performance from Daren considering the fact that in the past he always choked when it mattered most.
But the KL-born shuttler has been in tremendous form in Paris. He found his mojo in the famous city and defeated higher ranked opponents such as Sho Sasaki of Japan, Hu Yun (Hong Kong) and Jan O Jorgensen (Denmark) en route to the final.
And the lanky Daren, with his confidence soaring high, got off to a best possible start against the former world junior champion by winning the first game 21-18.
Although Axelsen showed some initiative to force a comeback in the second set, Daren was not to be denied as he sealed his first major victory crown winning 21-17.
This win could also mean a new beginning for the shuttler as it is a good sign that he is stepping out of Lee Chong Wei’s shadow, Malaysia’s and the world No. 1 ranked player.
Daren, however, was speechless over his win.
“I’m really happy right now because I can’t believe that I actually won. I’m quite speechless at the moment,” said Daren when contacted in Paris.
“I want to thank all those who had been supportive of me throughout these years … especially my coaches.
“Most important, I also want to thank my parents. They were not here to witness my first win so this is for them.”
National singles coach Rashid Sidek praised Daren’s performance and believed that it is the kick start he needs in his career.
“He really played well and his performance was something to be proud off,” said Rashid.
“No one expected him to win but he did just that. This is the start he needs to go on and become even better."
“For all the years that I’ve trained him, this was definitely one of Daren’s best ever performance,” added Rashid.
Meanwhile, in women’s doubles, Ma Jin-Tang Jinhua delivered a double Danish misery by beating top seeds Christinna Pedersen-Kamilla Rytter Juhl 21-12, 23-21.
Courtesy of The Star

World Junior: Malaysia no match for Taiwan

MALAYSIA had their worst ever finish in the World Junior Championships after losing 3-0 to Taiwan in the fifth-placing play-off in Chiba, Japan yesterday.
Malaysia made a tactical move by fielding their fringe players comprising mostly 16-year-olds for the mixed team event, but failed to pose a threat.
Wu Hsiao Lin-Wang Chi Lin got the ball rolling for Taiwan by notching a 21-14, 21-18 win over Simon Marcel-Ryan Philip Dede in the boys' doubles before Lee Hsin Chia overcame Yap Rui Chen 21-11, 24-22 in the girls' singles.
Wang Tzu Wei earned Taiwan's winning point when edged Chong Yee Han 21-11, 16-21, 21-12 in the boys' singles.
"We tested new players today (yesterday) and although they lost, we are happy with their performance. We hope the exposure will help them become better players," said BA of Malaysia (BAM) junior development coordinator Haw Kim Tho.
"Our top shuttlers were rested as we want them to be fresh for the individual competition which starts on Tuesday (tomorrow)."
On Malaysia's medal hopes in the individual competition, he said it will depend on the draw.
"It is unpredictable in junior events as some nations do not expose their players regularly. China and Japan are among the contenders," Kim Tho added.
China, led by boys' singles shuttler Song Xue, regained their mixed team title by edging Japan 3-2. South Korea thrashed Indonesia 3-0 for the bronze.
Courtesy of New Straits Times

Daren Gah Lakar Sejarah

Paris: Liew Daren melakar sejarah apabila julung kalinya memenangi badminton Terbuka Perancis menewaskan pemain muda Denmark, Viktor Axelsen 21-18, 21-17 dalam aksi final, malam tadi.

Dengan kemenangan itu, pemain berusia 24 tahun kini melakar nama sebagai pemain perseorangan lelaki Malaysia yang pernah menjuarai Terbuka Perancis sebaris dengan Chong Wei (2011, 2007), Foo Kok Keong (1990) dan Oon Chong Jin pada 1964.

Secara keseluruhan ia juga menambah rekod kemenangan pemain itu kepada 22 kemenangan daripada 38 perlawanan yang disertainya tahun ini seterusnya memadam rekod suram dalam tiga kejohanan disertai sebelum ini iaitu Terbuka Denmark, Terbuka Taiwan dan Terbuka Jepun.

Pada set pertama, Daren hanya perlu mengambil masa 20 minit untuk menjinakkan pemain berusia 18 tahun itu dan terus melebarkan sayap kejayaan di set kedua untuk menamatkan saingan dalam tempoh singkat 41 minit.

Daren melangkah ke final selepas menewaskan rakan senegara Axelsen yang juga pilihan keenam kejohanan, Jan O Jorgensen 18-21, 21-17, 21-10 kelmarin tatkala lawannya di final itu menumpaskan bintang Jepun, Kenichi Tago 21-8, 21-17.

Terdahulu, beregu China Jin Ma-Jinhua Tang menjuarai kategori beregu wanita menumpaskan Christinna Pedersen-Kamilla Rytter Juhl dari Denmark, mengharungi dua set mudah 21-12, 23-21.

Sumber: Berita Harian

Daren Liew Slam Axelsen For French Victory

Latest From Paris; Daren Liew beat Viktor Axelsen (Denmark) in straight set 21-18, 21-17 in 42 minutes just now. It was after games between Chinese Women Double Ma Jin-Tang Jinhua beat another Danish Double Christina Pedersen-Kamilla in also straight set 21-12, 23-21 in 44 minutes.

Congratulation to Daren Liew!!! Below is overall performances by him at French Open 2012