Tontowi-Liliyana on a roll

Indonesia’s Tontowi Ahmad-Liliyana Natsir (below), made it back-to-back European titles when they won the Yonex Swiss Open on Sunday.

The top seeds, who won their first Yonex All England Superseries Premier title a week ago, were too good for Thailand’s Sudket Prapakamol-Saralee Thoungthongkam, winning 21-16, 21-14.
The Indonesians had struggled in the earlier rounds, but were in top form in the title decider.
In the men’s singles, Chen Jin did his Olympic qualification hopes a world of good by beating South Korea’s Lee Hyun Il in a hard-fought battle lasting 67 minutes.
World No. 5 Chen Jin has to be inside the top four to qualify for the London Games as he has Lin Dan and Chen Long ahead of him – each country can only have three representatives in the Olympics if their players are among the top four in the world, otherwise, it is two among the top 16.
Against the veteran Hyun Il, the Chinese star was sluggish at the beginning and it took him a while before he could find any rhythm.
As a result, Hyun Il dominated the opening game, before Chen Jin (left), whose only individual title last season came at the Singapore Open when Lin Dan wasn’t feeling well and conceded a walkover in the final, came back strongly to make a big fight out of the final.
In the end, Chen Jin went home with the title with a 14-21, 21-9, 21-17, victory.
Japan’s Naoki Kawamae-Shoji Sato took home the men’s doubles crown after beating Taipei’s Fang Chieh Min-Lee Sheng Mu 21-13, 21-14.

Swiss Open: Eei Hui-Pei Tty run out of steam against young China pair

Malaysia’s campaign in the Swiss Open at Basel came to an end after veteran women’s pair Chin Eei Hui-Wong Pei Tty lost in the semi-finals.
Eei Hui-Pei Tty, who a day earlier had played their best match of the year to beat Malaysian Open champions Christinna Pedersen-Kamilla Rytter Juhl in the last eight, were simply no match for young China pair Huan Xia-Tang Jianhua.
The veteran pair looked lost and tired and surrendered easily to a 12-21, 11-21 defeat to the China Masters champions.
Despite the defeat, Eei Hui-Pei Tty still look set to claim a ticket to the London Olympics in what could be their final swansong.
The pair, who are in their 30s, are currently ranked No.14 in the world and should be given the nod over Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei.
The second ranked pair of Vivian-Khe Wei are No.17 in the world but have struggled to impressed of late following the latter’s recovery from a knee injury.
The duo suffered early exits here and in the All England last week. Earlier, Eei Hui-Pei Tty rolled back the years to stun Pedersen-Rytter Juhl to storm into the semi-finals.
In the mixed doubles, world No. 8 Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying came close to avenging their semi-final defeat at the All-England against Indonesians Tantowi Ahmad-Lilyana Natsir before losing 19-21, 21-18, 23-25.
In men’s singles, All England quarter-finalist Liew Daren’s run of good form came to an abrupt end after falling to China’s Chen Jin 21-8, 23-21 in the last eight.
The scratch men’s doubles pair of Goh V Shem-Teo Kok Siang also gave a good fight before losing 15-21, 21-12, 12-21 to Indonesian veterans Alvent Yulianto-Hendra Gunawan.
Courtesy of The Star

Lin Dan creates history

Lin Dan became the first shuttler in the Open era to win the All England for a record fifth time on Sunday when world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei retired injured in the second game.

The four-time world champion, who won this title in 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2009, narrowly beat Chong Wei (right), 21-19 in the first game and led 6-2 in the secondwhen the two-time defending champion, who was aiming to become the first Malaysian since Wong Peng Soon to win three titles on the trot in 1952, signalled he could not continue.
In the post-war era, only Rudy Hartono with eight (1968-1974 and 1976), and Erland Kops with seven (1958, 1960-1963, 1965 and 1967) , have won the world's oldest tournament more, when it was regarded as the unofficial world championship.
Chong Wei had suffered the right shoulder injury against Dionysius Hayom Rumbaka in Friday’s quarter-finals, but soldiered on against South Korea’s Lee Hyun Il in the semi-finals a day later.
He felt the pain before the match against Lin Dan (left), but said he wanted to play so as not to disappoint his fans, who made the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham feel like home.
Chong Wei had called for the trainer twice during the match, but managed to carry on. However, on the third occasion, he decided to call it quits as he didn’t want to aggravate the injury further.
It was a wise move with the London Olympics just four months away. It was sweet revenge for Lin Dan, who has lost last year's final to Chong Wei in straight games.
Super Dan was playing in his eighth final in the last nine years and was the only reigning world champion to win a title on Sunday.
Earlier, women’s singles champion Wang Yihan was stunned by teammate Li Xuerui in straight games while Wang Xiaoli-Yu Yang were defeated by Tian Qing-Zhao Yunlei in the women’s doubles.
In the men’s doubles, South Korea’s Jung Jae Sung-Lee Yong Dae (right), outfought their great rivals and four-time world champions Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng in three games to win their second All England crown.
The second seeds, who were also champions in 2008, threw away the first game after leading for almost its entirety, but fought back to take the next two to win 21-23, 21-9, 21-14.
It was the 21^st meeting between the pairs and Jae Sung-Yong Dae now lead their head-to-heads 11-10.

All England: Heartbreak for Chong Wei

HOURS before the men’s singles final Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei was already feeling the pain on his shoulder.
But he did not want to disappoint his adoring fans at the sell-out National Indoor Arena and went on to the court and gave his all but it did not work against a ruthless Lin Dan.
And eventually, after 31 minutes of play the World No. 1 surrendered his dream of winning the All-England title for the third time in a row by retiring at 2-6 in the second game. He narrowly lost the first at 19-21.
Hundreds of Malaysia fans cheered him on despite the anti-climax ending – well aware that the Malaysian was simply unable to play on.
With his defeat he also missed becoming only the second Malaysian to pull off the feat after the late Wong Peng Soon from 1950-1952.

Chong Wei sought treatment halfway through the match for a shoulder injury.

A dejected Chong Wei said: “This is an injury I picked up on Friday. I managed to survive against Lee Hyun-il (in the semi-finals) but could not do the same against Lin Dan today. I was playing half court. I could not smash or make a full swing,” said Chong Wei.
“I knew much earlier that it would be tough but I did not want to disappoint the fans. I took the risk of playing but I could not do much with Lin Dan in top form,” he said.
Indeed, Lin Dan was doing all the attacking yesterday and dictated the pace in the opening game.
Chong Wei kept close but it was obvious that Lin Dan was more superior on court as he set up well calculated moves to slam down the winners and showed his hunger for the title.
The Malaysian, who hardly won any points with his usual stinging smashes yesterday, stopped play at 12-15 in the first game to get treatment for his shoulder and did his best to narrow the gap but Lin Dan closed it at 21-19.

For Lin Dan, it was his fifth All-England title in his ninth final.

During the break, Chong Wei re­ceived more treatment and bravely went back on the court but after trailing 2-6, he had to give up.
“I am disappointed that I could not win it for the third time. I did come down today hoping that I could pull off some tricks against Lin Dan but his chop and net play was just awesome.
“It is unfortunate that the injury came at this time but it is better that I stop playing as it may aggravate the injury. I do not want to jeopardise my chances for the Olympic Games.”
Chong Wei withdrew from the Swiss Open which starts on Wed­nes­day and will fly back home today.
For Lin Dan, it was his fifth All-England title in his ninth final. Although disappointed with the manner he won, Lin Dan was sympathetic over Chong Wei’s withdrawal.

Champions: South Koreans Jung Jae-sung and Lee Yong-dae (left) lifting their trophies after beating China’s Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng in the men’s doubles final at the All England in Birmingham yesterday. — Reuters

“He did give a good fight in the first game despite his condition. I know that this injury is not serious and I am looking forward to meeting him again at the Olympic Games,” he said.
Stocky Jung Jae-sung made a sensational comeback from his shoulder injury to form a superb partnership with Lee Yong-dae and powered their way to their second All-England title.
Yesterday, the athletic duo smashed aside four-time world champions Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng of China 21-23, 21-9, 21-14 in a thrilling men’s doubles final.
RESULTS
Men’s singles: Lin Dan (Chn) bt Lee Chong Wei (Mas) 21-19, 6-2 (retired)
Men’s doubles: Jung Jae-sung-Lee Yong-dae (Kor) bt Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng (Chn) 21-23, 21-9, 21-14.
Women’s singles: Li Xuerui (Chn) bt Wang Yihan (Chn) 21-13, 21-19.
Women’s doubles: Tian Qing-Zhao Yunlei (Chn) bt Wang Xiaoli-Yu Yang (Chn) 21-17, 21-12.
Mixed doubles: Tantowi Ahmad-Lilyana Natsir (Ina) bt Thomas Laybourn-Kamilla Rytter Juhl (Den) 21-17, 21-19.
Courtesy of The Star

Wing Ki delivers knockout blow to Chen Jin

Chen Jin’s hopes of reaching the London Olympics were dented on Thursday when he was knocked out in the third round of the Yonex German Open by Wong Wing Ki (below).

Wing Ki, who also stunned Lin Dan in last year’s Denmark Open, was in superb form to claim a 21-9, 21-17, victory which sets him up with a quarter-final match with Jan O Jorgensen.
Chen Jin, who is currently ranked No. 5 in the world, needed to go all the way in this tournament to give himself a chance of qualifying for the Olympics as he is chasing Lin Dan and Chen Long, who are ranked No. 2 and No. 3 respectively.
Each country can only have three shuttlers in the men’s singles competition at the Olympics if they are ranked among the top four, failing which, only two entries if the players are in the top 16.
As such, 2010 world champion Chen Jin could miss the boat.
Not that he could have many complains as his form since winning the world title in 2010 has been erratic while players such as Wing Ki no longer fear him. This was evident from their third round match with the Hong Kong player dominating right from the start.
Sixth seed Jorgensen (left), meanwhile, has been on top of his game for the last three months and will fancy reaching the final. If he can beat Wing Ki, then he will face the winner of the Simon Santoso-Shon Wan Ho match-up.
Top seed Lin Dan had no problems on Thursday, brushing aside England’s Carl Baxter and Spain’s Pablo Abian in straight games. He will now face Denmark’s Hans-Kristian Vittinghus for a place in the semi-finals.
Doubles specialist Lee Yong Dae made it the last eight of the men’s and mixed doubles competition.
Yong Dae and Jung Jae Sung, who are the top seeds in the men’s doubles, led two other South Korean pairs into the last eight. Japan also have three pairs in the quarter-finals with China and Indonesia completing the line-up.
In the mixed doubles, Yong Dae and Ha Jung Eun (right), are also one of three South Korean pairs in the quarter-finals and they will meet Germany’s Michael Fuchs-Birgit Michels for a place in the semi-finals.
In the women’s singles event, Singapore’s Gu Juan stunned eighth seed Porntip Buranaprasertsuk in straight games to progress to the next round.

Kien Keat-Boon Heong regaining confidence but have some way to go

Tan Boon Heong (left) and Koo Kien Keat have been told to focus on their first two matches at the All England in Birmingham starting Tuesday.

MEN’S doubles Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, despite showing glimpses of their former brilliance the last three weeks, are still not regarded as All England title contenders by their coach Tan Kim Her.
Kien Keat-Boon Heong led from the front to help Malaysia qualify for the Thomas Cup Finals in Macau two weeks ago where they also ended their six-match losing streak to South Korea’s No 2 Ko Sung Hyun-Yoo Yeon Seong.
Kien Keat partnered Lim Khim Wah to win the Selangor Open on Sunday but Kim Her feels they still have a long way to go to become the feared combination they once were and they must take it one match at a time in the All England, which starts in Birmingham on Tuesday.
The draw looks easy for the duo until the last eight as they will play Japan’s Naoki Kawamae-Shoji Sato in the first round and are then expected to meet Hong Wei-Shen Ye of China but Kien Keat-Boon Heong have lost to lesser known pairs previously.
Hong Wei-Shen Ye have  beaten  Kien Keat-Boon Heong and this is the reason why Kim Her doesn’t want to leave anything to chance. The coach is not even thinking about a potential clash against World No 2 Jung Jae Sung-Lee Yong Dae in the quarter-finals.
Jae Sung-Yong Dae have an impressive record of 12 wins in 14 meetings against the Malaysians and Kim Her wants Kien Keat-Boon Heong to focus on their first two matches.
“I always remind Kien Keat-Boon Heong to become hunters and target the opponents but they must also be prepared and be realistic. Let’s not talk about beating Jae Sung-Yong Dae yet as Kien Keat-Boon Heong’s resurgence has just begun,” said a cautious Kim Her.
“Macau was a good motivation for them but I am not going to set them a target. They should take it one match at a time. Let them beat the Japanese pair in the first round first.
“Hong Wei-Shen Ye are also strong and have beaten Kien Keat-Boon Heong, so the second round is not as easy as it looks.”
Kim Her added: “I was unable to push them in training because of back-to-back tournaments (Thomas Cup qualifiers and the Selangor Open) so I have not set any targets for them.
“They must show steady progress but the most important thing is to peak in the London Olympics. There’s no point winning international titles now but fail in the Olympics.”
Despite Kim Her’s caution, Kien Keat-Boon Heong’s current form suggests they will meet Jae Sung-Yong Dae in the last eight and the match will show if the Malaysian pair have  made progress.
Kien Keat-Boon Heong’s fitness has been their biggest worry but there has been improvement since Roesdi Ghani was assigned as their physical trainer four weeks ago.
Roesdi, who has been in charge of World No 1 Lee Chong Wei for the last six years, will also help Hafiz Hashim and world junior champion Zulfadli Zulkifli until the Thomas Cup Finals in May.
Zulfadli has also received a letter of invitation from BA of Malaysia (BAM) general manager Kenny Goh yesterday and will join training on Monday under Hendrawan.
Courtesy of New Straits Times

Hafiz to play in qualifiers and as an independent shuttler at All-England

Mohd Hafiz Hashim has competed in many All-England badminton tournaments but it will be a new experience for him this time in more ways than one.
The 29-year-old Hafiz will be playing as an independent player for the first time at Birmingham when the qualifying tournament starts on Tuesday. It is also the first time that the 2003 All-England champion will be featuring in the qualifying round of the world’s oldest Open tournament.
Hafiz went independent last March and, so far, his one-year journey has been quite rewarding. He hopes the good fortune will continue with a good showing in the All-England – the tournament that launched him to prominence nine years ago.
In the past, he had enjoyed the best of two worlds – being a Nusa Mahsuri player as well as a member of the elite group in the national centre.

Regular visitor: Mohd Hafiz Hashim has played in every All-England championships since 2003 except for last year.

“I have played in every All-England since 2003 except for last year when I was just starting my professional career and didn’t get to compete,” said Hafiz, the world No. 32.
“It’s wonderful making a return to this tournament which is quite special to me.
“A year ago, I didn’t think I could still represent the country as an independent player. Now, I’m still very much wanted. It feels good to be needed,” he said.
Despite standing on his own feet since joining KLRC last March, Hafiz has been one of the top picks for Malaysia in major events. Just two weeks ago, the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) selected him for the Thomas Cup qualifying tournament in Macau.
As the highest ranked Malaysian player after world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei, Hafiz is a certainty for the Finals in Wuhan in May. He has also been named to represent the country in the Axiata Cup, a lucrative team competition that offers US$1mil in prize money, later this month.
Hafiz agreed that his main drawback has been his lack of fitness but he is determined to toughen up as his career, which once seemed over, has been given a fresh injection of life.
“I joined the BAM training a few days ago and have people looking into my physical condition. I am also spending more time in the gymnasium. I know that I can play more confidently if I am fitter,” he said.
On his challenge in the All-England, Hafiz said the immediate task was to clear the qualifying round.
“My ranking has dropped so I naturally have to start in the qualifiers. It is awkward but I am determined to show some improvement,” he said.
Hafiz will face Chan Yan Kit of Hong Kong in the opening round. If he wins, next up will be the winner of the match between Mohd Arif Abdul Latif and Thailand’s Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk.
A tricky first round match against South Korean Lee Hyun-il awaits if he makes it to the main draw.
The other Malaysian who will have to go through the qualifiers is Liew Daren.
Courtesy of The Star