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| September 7, 2003 | Sunday | Rajab 9, 1424 |
Chen to meet local hero Lee in final
KOTA KINABALU (Malaysia), Sept 6: A disappointing display by the top local player on Saturday prevented an all-Malaysian men’s singles final at the Malaysian Open.
Instead, top seed Chen Gong of China will take on Malaysian youngster Lee Chong Wei in the final Sunday.
A tired Chen did not allow an unsupportive crowd and a bad line call to affect his semifinal with Malaysian Wong Choong Hann, easily winning 15-13, 15-7 to qualify for the finals.
He kept his cool even when he was jeered by the crowd for disputing the call in the second set.
But Chen later said Wong had given him an easy ride.
The first set between Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei and Lee Hyun-Il of South Korea was evenly contested though the Malaysian had the edge towards the end to win 15-11.
But the local favourite raced away to an 8-0 lead in the second set before eventually winning 15-1.
Lee added that he expected the final to be a much tougher affair. to get the better of him in the final for my first major title.”
In the women’s final China’s Zhou Mi will face Camilla Martin of Denmark, after both players easily disposed off more noted opponents in the semifinals.
Zhou had no trouble beating compatriot Xie Xingfang 11-2, 11-3, while Camilla disposed of second seed Gong Ruina 11-4, 11-4.
In the men’s doubles final, Chinese pair Fu Haifeng and Cai Yun will meet South Koreans Lee Dong Soo Kim Dong Moon.
The Chinese easily beat Indonesia’s Trikush Aryanto and Sigit Budiarto 15-13, 15-11, while the Koreans were simply too strong for Malaysia’s Choong Tan Fook and Lee Wan Wah, winning 15-5, 15-6.
The women’s doubles will also be a China versus South Korea affair with Gao Ling and Huang Sui taking on Ra Kyung Min and Lee Kyung Won.
In the mixed doubles final Kim Dong Moon and Ra Kyung Min of South Korea will meet Nathan Robertson and Gail Emms of England.
Results:
Semifinals: Men’s singles: Chen Hong (CHN) bt Wong Choong Hann (MAS) 15-13, 15-7; Lee Chong Wei (MAS) bt Lee Hyun Il (KOR) 15-11, 15-1.
Semifinals: Women’s singles: Zhou Mi (CHN) bt Xie Xingfang (CHN) 11-2, 11-3; Camilla Martin (DEN) bt Gong Ruina (CHN) 11-4, 11-4.
Mixed doubles: Kim Dong Moon/Ra Kyung Min (KOR) bt Zhang Jun/Gao Ling (CHN) 15-5, 11-15; 15-10; Nathan Robertson/Gail Emms (ENG) bt Jonas Rasmussen/ Rikke Olsen (DEN) 15-6, 15-10.
Men’s doubles: Fu Haifeng/Cai Yun (CHN) bt Trikush Aryanto/Sigit Budiarto (INA) 15-13; 15-11; Lee Dong Soo/Kim Dong Moon (KOR) bt Choong Tan Fook/Lee Wan Wah (MAS) 15-5, 15-6.
Women’s doubles: Ra Kyung Min/Lee Kyung Won (KOR) bt Yang Wei/Zhang Jiewen (CHN) 15-11; 15-5; Gao Ling/Huang Sui (CHN) bt Jo Novita/Lita Nurlita (INA) 15-6, 15-4.—Reuters
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