Chong Wei is a real good mix

LEE Chong Wei is still the king of the local circuit as he asserted his invincibility by winning the mixed doubles crown with Vivian Hoo following a 21-15, 27-25 win over World No 9 Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying in the Selangor Open at Juara Stadium yesterday.

Chong Wei's last mixed doubles event was in 2000 when he partnered Chin Eei Hui to win one of the junior legs but he produced a vintage performance with Vivian against Peng Soon-Liu Ying.

It was probably an embarrassing moment for Peng Soon-Liu Ying, who will be playing in the German Open beginning tomorrow and also the All England on March 6-11, but Chong Wei came to their defence, saying that their-must win situation may have cost them the title.

"It's nice to win the title and it's not the singles after 10 straight years. I was 18 when I last won a junior mixed doubles title but this one was really surprising. Peng Soon-Liu Ying had to win but we didn't have any pressure and that actually helped us to win," said Chong Wei.

"I had long decided not to play singles to give the youngsters a chance and picked mixed doubles to offer support to the local circuit. Mixed doubles is easier to play compared to men's doubles and it really turned out to be a sweet end."

Chong Wei's absence paved the way for Chong Wei Feng to win the men's singles crown after beating back-up player Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin 12-21, 21-8, 21-14 in 48 minutes.

Results -- (All Finals) Men's Singles: Chong Wei Feng (Ked) bt Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin (Joh) 12-21, 21-8, 21-14.

Doubles: Koo Kien Keat-Lim Khim Wah (Pk-Ked) bt Mak Hee Chun-Tan Wee Kiong (Pk-Joh) 21-17, 21-19.

Women's Singles: Lydia Cheah (KL) bt Tee Jing Yi (Pg) 19-21, 21-10, 21-14.

Doubles: Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei (KL-Sel) bt Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Yean (KL-Mal) 21-19, 21-7.

Mixed Doubles: Lee Chong Wei-Vivian Hoo (Pg-KL) bt Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying (Pg-Mal) 21-15, 27-25. By K.M. Boopathy

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