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Seoul Chong Wei needs to enhance reputation outside of Malaysia

By RAJES PAUL

KUALA LUMPUR: The Korean Open will give a better indication of Lee Chong Wei’s calibre as the world number one and youngster Liew Daren’s ability to make a charge into the top ranks.

The Open in Seoul, beginning tomorrow, is the second-leg of the Super Series.

Chong Wei has justified his status as the world number one twice on home ground. He won the Super Series Masters Finals in Kota Kinabalu last month and nailed his fifth Malaysian Open title in Bukit Jalil on Sunday.

Now, the Beijing Olympic silver medallist gets the chance to further enhance his reputation in cold Seoul where he again takes the top billing. If he succeeds, it will be his first Open title outside of Malaysia as world number one.

Coach Misbun Sidek said that Chong Wei had grown stronger mentally and he was confident that his favourite singles player would pull it off.

“I am happy that Chong Wei got off to a good start this year,” said Misbun, who is expected to resume his coaching duties fully next week after being taken ill since he returned home from pilgrimage in Mecca last month.

“He has taken advantage of his growing confidence as the world number one. He is more composed. To maintain the standing as number one is not easy. Many have cracked under pressure and never recovered but Chong Wei is more stable now.

“I am confident that he will be able to continue with his good form (in the Korean Open).”

Chong Wei beat South Korean Park Sung-hwan to claim the Malaysian Open title and they are expected to meet again in the quarter-finals in Seoul.

If he makes it to the final, his opponent will be from the half of the draw which has Indonesians Sony Dwi Kuncoro and Simon Santoso and Denmark’s Peter Gade-Christensen.

Daren, who came through the qualifying tournament of the Malaysian Open to reach the quarter-finals, will get a chance to show that his performance in Bukit Jalil, including a stunning win over top Thai Boonsak Ponsana, was no flash in the pan.

He has to again earn his place in the main draw in Seoul and will start against Bobby Milroy of Canada.

The other elite back-up players hoping to make a breakthrough in the Korean Open are Tan Chun Seang, Chong Wei Feng and Mohd Arif Abdul Latif.

Except for Wei Feng, the others will have to play in the qualifying tournament today.

The Star

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