2010 Was History...Can He Retain This Year Title?

  [1] Lee Chong Wai (Mas) bt Kenichi Tago (Jpn)
          21-19, 21-19 (47m)

Lee wins the all-England at last
Richard Eaton

Lee Chong Wei, the man who has dominated the Super Series circuit without winning the major titles, went some way to improving his big occasion record by capturing the All-England Open.

The top-seeded Malaysian did that with a 21-19, 21-19 win over Kenichi Tago, the first Japanese male finalist for nearly half a century in which Lee's experience just got him through in the tight finishes in both games.

Lee also became the first man to win three Super Series titles in a row, having captured the titles in Seoul and Kuala Lumpur in January.

Just before giving his press conference Lee received a phone call of congratulations form the Malaysian prime minister, Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, and came into the room buzzing with the thrill.

"It was a big relief to win and a big dream especially as its the 100th anniversary of the All-England," said Lee. "It's going to help me in a big way. I didn't think I played my very best but I did enough."

But the his 20-year-old unseeded opponent, who had already accounted for three seeded opponents, once again impressed with his speed and attacking verve, and was not far from causing another upset.

Lee's capture of the title in the 100th tournament of the world's oldest badminton event, even though he looked a worthy favourite, may not convince everyone that he is now the best player in the world

That is because Lin Dan of China won both the Olympic and World titles, skipped the first two Super Series of the year and mysteriously lost to his compatriot Bao Chunlai here.

But Lee did suggest that he is adding a better big match temperament to his blistering speed, great defence, and cleverly timed counter-attacks, and may be improve enough to challenge Lin Dan's ambition to retire as Olympic champion at London 2012.

Lee also recovered from an uncertain start, going 0-4, 5-10 and 11-15 down to an opponent who had nothing to lose and came out attacking whenever he could.

The Malaysian made a well-timed push with six points to reach 17-15, and when Tago got back to 19-20 Lee had a slice of good fortune when his attempted kill took a net cord which left his opponent for dead.

Lee played more relaxedly after that, getting to 6-1 quickly. Even when Tago caught him at 11-11 and kept in touch up till 17-18, Lee was playing more aggressively himself now.

This time at 20-19 he won the crucial point more worthily, choosing an accurate push down the middle, awkwardly close to Tago's body, to make the championship-grabbing winner.

Lee celebrated by burying his forehead on the court, by hurrying to thank his coach Misbun Sidek, and by raising both fists to the crowd. It may prove a turning point in his career.