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Chong Wei's title to lose

Misbun Sidek (left) hugs Lee Chong Wei after his 21-9, 21-15 win over Kenichi Tago on
Misbun Sidek (left) hugs Lee Chong Wei after his 21-9, 21-15 win over Kenichi Tago on

WORLD No 1 Lee Chong Wei is on course for his fourth title of 2009 after a masterful performance while it was the end of the road for veteran Wong Choong Hann in the Yonex-Sunrise Malaysia Open Grand Prix Gold men's singles semi-finals at the Johor Baru City Council Indoor Stadium yesterday.

And Chong Wei will get a chance to exact revenge on China's Chen Long, who defeated the Malaysian in the first round of the India Open in March, in the final today.

As for Wong Mew Choo, her career could hit rock bottom after her unexpected defeat to China qualifier Wang Xin in the women's semi-finals.

Wang Xin, 24, who just recently joined China's national team, is competing in her first Open tournament.

Chong Wei, who has won the Malaysia, Swiss and Indonesia Open titles this year, thrashed Hong Kong's Hu Yun 21-9, 21-8 in only 20 minutes.
In the first game, Chong Wei raced to a 14-3 lead before winning 21-9 in 11 minutes. The Malaysian maintained his momentum and won the second 21-8 to advance to the final.

"I didn't expect to win so easily today (yesterday). He is quite a dangerous player but I prepared well for this encounter. I was physically and mentally prepared and played a fast game and my opponent failed to read my style," said Chong Wei.

Chong Wei is also confident of getting the better of Chen Long in the final.

"It should not be a problem. I was not feeling well in India and I don't want to think about it now.

"The singles title is important to Malaysian fans and I will try my best to win my fourth title here," he said.

Chen Long, a former World and Asian junior champion, turned in a precision performance to overcome Choong Hann 21-10, 21-16.

"I'm really excited about the final. Though I defeated Chong Wei in India, he will be the favourite here.

"My problem is that I'm inconsistent during crucial stage of tournaments. I'm still learning and I hope to give a good account in the final," said Chen Long, a runner-up in the Asian Championships in Suwon.

Mew Choo, after her shock 21-18, 21-14 defeat to Wang Xin yesterday, admitted that her game is deteriorating but promised to train harder for the World Championships.

"I admit my game is not good. I'm currently low in confidence, skills and court control. I'm not strong mentally. However, I have more than a month before the world meet to work on my game. I hope I can get back to my former self," said Mew Choo.

The 24-year-old Wang Xin faces another China qualifier Wang Shixian, who upset top seed Pi Hongyan 21-14, 21-15 in 36 minutes.

NST

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