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World No. 1 Chong Wei rakes in another title in France

PETALING JAYA: World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei will return home from Europe with a very big smile today.
Top seed Chong Wei disposed of Kenichi Tago 21-16, 21-11 in the men’s singles final of the French Open in Paris yesterday – extending his unbeaten run against the Japanese – to nick an amazing seventh title of the year.

The Malaysian has won all his seven previous matches against Kenichi.
It was also Chong Wei’s 11th individual tournament and 11th final appearance this year – a record that will be quite impossible for others to emulate.

A day earlier, Chong Wei had shown more fire in his game to overcome a psychological barrier against China’s rising star Chen Long.

Having lost twice to Chen Long in the finals of the Japan and Denmark Opens, Chong Wei turned the tables on the 22-year-old with a well-deserved 23-21, 17-21, 21-15 win.
National coach Tey Seu Bock commended Chong Wei for making a quick rebound after the disappointment in Denmark just a week ago

“His most significant win was over Chen Long (in the semi-finals). He is certainly a strong-willed player,” said Seu Bock in a telephone interview yesterday.

“He lost a lot of energy against Chen Long but yet, today, he was able to return to court and play his game against Tago.

“Yes, there were moments when he made some uncharacteristic mistakes but he quickly made up for it.”
Seu Bock said that Chong Wei was almost back at his best after a demoralising loss to Lin Dan in the final of the Word Championships in Wembley in August.

“I think his confidence is almost 80% back. He has been struggling to get his game going after the defeat at the world meet,” said Seu Bock.

“It is not easy to reach the final of every tournament. Expectations are high on him and he has to deliver all the time.

“That could be mentally tiring but he has defied all the odds and I have nothing but respect for him.”

By RAJES PAUL

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