MALAYSIA OPEN 2008 FINAL – Tine and Lee Chong Wei in gold

It is Grand Finale day for the 2008 Proton Malaysia Open Super Series. The day began with spectators swarming into the hall, all with their ‘cheering apparatuses’ in their hands. They would be soon rewarded by Lee Chong Wei’s 4th title in 5 years, while the year started with a bang in the ladies' world as Tine Rasmussen beat the only top Chinese player she hadn’t yet defeated – Zhu Lin - to clinch the title.

Tine strikes again!

The longest event of the day, taking one hour and 9 minutes, was the women’s singles event with Tine Rasmussen (pictured) and Zhu Lin in the running for the title. The former, Denmark’s new idol, had beaten all the top Chinese on her way to her success in Japan, last September: all but Zhu Lin, whom she had never beaten before. Zhu, meanwhile, was feeling at home, having clinched the world title here last August. It was a hard start for both the ladies. The Dane had good control of the net in the 1st game and grabbed 5 points from her net play.

Rasmussen was proceeding well enough until Zhu caught her at 13-all and started to turn the game to her favour. Although the Dane managed to stick close to the Chinese world champion up to a 17-all tie, Zhu quickly left her behind to win 21-18.

Rasmussen slowly got used to Zhu’s style in the 2nd game and was very much in control of the game. She was active and looked very desperate to take this one down. Showing signs of frustration when losing a point, she clearly wanted to give nothing to her opponent. Zhu Lin maintained the advantage until the interval with an 11-10 lead but at that point, Rasmussen started to unleash jumping smashes that were amazingly accurate and fast and had Zhu Lin stumbling over the court trying to return them. Game 2 ended with a close win for the Dane, 21-19. They were in for a thrilling tie-breaker.

Rasmussen, well advised by her coach Thomas Stuer Lauridsen, returned to the court looking prepared enough to stomp the Chinese flat and started the game using her power. Halfway through the rubber game, Rasmussen lunged to the forecourt in an attempt to return one of Zhu’s drop shots and injured her leg as her knees went to the floor. She was examined by the doctor on site and opted to continue the deciding game with the 3rd-seeded Chinese.

Everything went smoothly for the Dane as she pulled back her beautiful smashes and net play in the last game and made many clear winners that gave her an early lead. Soon after Rasmussen got back on court, she was announced champion of the women’s singles event, 18-21, 21-19, 21-18, giving another clear warning to China that she will be one of the key opponents to China’s hegemony in Beijing this year.

“This victory shows my success in Japan was no fluke; The Chinese are beatable. Wong had proven it in China, I did it again here. Physically, I played well today, and I made Zhu Lin commit the errors first. I twisted my ankle, but I hope I can still play in Korea,” said the Dane.

Chong Wei gets 4th gold at home

The men stepped into the hall for the men’s singles event right after the ladies made their way out. The only Malaysian left competing in the finals, Lee Chong Wei (photo), was welcomed into the hall with loud cheers and applause by the national supporters as he entered with Korea’s Lee Hyun Il. The Malaysian had it easy enough in the 1st game as the Korean showed no sign of being able to keep up with him.

As both proceeded to the 2nd game, Lee Hyun-Il seemed to be in full control on the game after a little advice from his coach Li Mao, who clearly knows Chong Wei’s style as the Chinese coach was in charge of Chong Wei before flying off to Korea to take new charges. The Malaysian then looked helpless and was under the command of the Korean. The Korean Lee hit the Malaysian with 7 strong smashes and ended the game with an awkward 21-17.

Upon preparing for the rubber game, the two shuttlers hurried to the sides of their respective coaches to get as much advice as possible. Lee Chong Wei - currently under Misbun Sidek – was clearly advised to change his strategy. The 3 games between the two players looked almost like a match between the two coaches. The Malaysian started to dish out cross-court smashes accurately enough to beat the Korean. He was then in control of the 3rd game and didn’t give even a small chance to the Korean. This match endedsoon enough, 21-17, as Lee Hyun-il could no longer match the Malaysian’s comeback.

The big crowd of spectators rose to their feet and gave out a thundering roar of joy. A famous Malaysian fan who had himself dressed in the Malaysian flag knocked through the security and rushed onto the court. Although stopped by the security staff, the excited Malaysian fan insisted that he wanted to give the national hero a hug. He then looked up and had his hands open before his chest to show gratitude to God for Lee Chong Wei’s victory

Li Mao : “ I was happy, no matter who won”

“I slowed down in the 2nd game and was nervous as Lee Hyun-Il’s game was specially to play against me. I couldn’t control the game so I lost it so soon. Anyway, I am really happy about my victory. I’ll be meeting him in the 2nd round of the Korean Open next week and I hope to do better against him then,” said the Malaysian in an interview session after receiving the prize.

“Chong Wei was calm and had no mistakes in the 1st game. He attacked whenever he had the chance and had strokes which were difficult to guess,” commented the Korean about his opponent.

As for Korean singles coach Li Mao, he thought that this could be considered Hyun-Il’s best match so far since his return. “It was not easy for Chong Wei to get through as I understand his strengths and weaknesses. However, he handled this pressure very well. I am happy that he won. Basically, I will be happy no matter Hyun-il or Chong Wei wins and vice versa,” explained Li Mao.