Kuala Lumpur: Reigning World champion Chen Long of China overcame compatriot and five-time World champion Lin Dan 20-22, 21-13, 21-11 in an hour and 18 minutes to secure the Malaysia Open Superseries men’s singles title at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Sunday.
The 31-year-old Lin Dan was defeated by Malaysia’s badminton superstar Datuk Lee Chong Wei in the Malaysia Open in 2012, and failed to capture the title again in the absence of Lee.
Both Chinese shuttlers were cautious and were testing each other with long rallies focused mainly on the baseline in the first set.
Lin took the first set, but Chen played with more speed and combined with some beautiful net shots to clinch the second set.
Chen Long rode that momentum into the decider and went ahead 11-3 advantage before claiming the 2015 Malaysia Open title and the prize money of USD $37,500.
“I am happy with the victory. After losing the first set, I was more prepared in the second set and the decider,” said Chen Long.
Lin Dan who has never won the Malaysia Open, was calm after the loss.
“I performed well in the first set but made too many mistakes and unforced errors in the second and the third set. I was slow today, and that’s part of the reason I lost the match,” said Lin Dan.
“I suffered injuries for most part of 2014, and I am still try to regain my form. I will try to return to my peak form at next year’s Olympics,” added Lin Dan.
The win helped World No.1 Chen Long improved his head-to-head record to 2-7 against the two-time Olympic champion Lin Dan.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian men’s doubles pair of Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan overcame world No. 1 pair South Korea’s Lee Yong Dae and Yoo Yeon Seong 14-21, 21-15, 23-21 in 60 minutes to take home the Malaysia Open title. The win gave Ahsan/Setiawan a 3-5 head-to-head record against the Korean pair.
In the all-Chinese affair mixed doubles final, Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei outplayed Xu Chen and Ma Jin 21-16, 21-14 in 45 minutes.
“We want Lee Chong Wei!”
Lee Chong Wei’s success comes from his hard work, dedication, and determination. Please post your support for Lee Chong Wei under this video at YouTube.com, thanks!
Direct link to the video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klPyg2g8aCQ
