Lee, Zhang capture singles titles

Published July 11, 2005

KUALA LUMPUR, July 10: Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei put on a stirring display of attacking badminton before next month’s World Championship by bullying World No 1 Lin Dan from China into submission on Sunday en route to his second successive Malaysian Open men’s singles title.

The No 4 seed recovered from a tentative start to win 17-15, 9-15, 15-9 in a contest that was highlighted by delicate drop shots at the net from two shuttlers renowned for their finesse.

It was top seed Lin, however, who surged to a 10-1 lead in the first game while Lee struggled to cope with the Chinese ace, either at the net or from the back of the court.

Lee closed the gap and led for the first time to reach game point at 14-13 before demonstrating his mental tenacity to win the first game 17-15.

Southpaw Lin, a quarterfinalist in last year’s edition, was undeterred and bounced back to win the second game 15-9 by using a variety of shots against a tired Lee.

Indonesian pair Chandra Wijaya and Sigit Budiarto lifted the men’s doubles title after overcoming China’s Fu Haifeng and Cai Yun in a thrilling tie to win 15-11, 17-14.

In the women’s singles final, world No 2 Zhang Ning battled past unseeded Chinese compatriot Zhu Lin 11-6, 11-2 to secure her fourth Malaysian Open title.

In the all-Chinese women’s doubles final, top seeds Yang Wei and Zhang Jiewen were no match for Olympic champions Gao Ling and Huang Sui in winning 15-6, 15-8.

The mixed doubles title went to Korean pair Lee Jae Jin and Lee Hyo Jung, who upset China’s No 3 seeds Chen Qiqiu and Zhao Tingting 15-12, 15-11.

Results:

Men’s singles: Lee Chong Wei (MAS) bt Lin Dan (CHN) 17-15, 9-15, 15-9

Men’s doubles: Chandra Wijaya and Sigit Budiarto (INA) bt Fu Haifeng and Cai Yun (CHN ) 15-11, 17-14.

Women’s singles: Zhang Ning (CHN) bt Zhu Lin (CHN) 11-6, 11-2

Women’s doubles: Yang Wei and Zhang Jiewen (CHN) bt Gao Ling and Huang Sui (CHN) 15-6, 15-8

Mixed doubles: Lee Jae Jin and Lee Hyo Jung (KOR) bt Chen Qiqiu and Zhao Tingting (CHN) 15-12, 15-11.—AFP