CHONG WEI THROWS DOWN THE GAUNLET AT KOREAN OPEN

Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei has offered himself ‘to be beaten’…. at least that’s the impression one gets in the wake of his confident performance at the 2010 Korean Open Super Series.

Since his demoralizing trouncing at the hands of China’s Lin Dan at the Beijing Olympics, the world’s top ranked singles player has been gradually picking up the pieces. An injury did not help make matters easy either but if anything Chong Wei’s determination is finally paying off. Under the continued guidance of the old warrior Misbun Sidek, the Malaysian seems to have finally found himself in a position to justify his status as not only as the top-ranked player but also the best in the business.

Watching Chong Wei perform at the Olympic Fencing Stadium in Seoul at the 2010 Korean Open Super Series that concluded over the weekend, one gets the impression that the Malaysian hotshot has now reached a stage from which he will be difficult to dislodge. He played with confidence and a rhythm that has been missing of late. There was no comprise in his play. He was committed as he was ‘brutal’, imposing his authority from the first serve until the last point. The Chong Wei at the Korean Open showed himself as different from the one we have been used to these past years. He looked determined and very focused.

He played five matches in Seoul and won them all, each in straight games. His victims were Andrew Smith, Marc Zwieller, Boonsak Ponsana, Chen Jin and Peter Gade. The Dane only managed 12 and 11 while Chen Jin did no better at 11 and 13.

It is true that the Korean Open, the first in the 12-leg Super Series did not attract the best field but except for Lin Dan, the rest including Chunlai, Taufik, Simon, Sony Dwi and Sung Hwan Park even if they had been in town would have caused minimum ripple under the circumstance.

But the Malaysian Open scheduled for later this week will be different. It will feature virtually the who’s who of international badminton, including Lin Dan. The Draw has placed the Malaysian and the Chinese apart and barring any mishaps, they will meet in the final – what a mouth-watering prospect!

Indonesia and India which were not creditably represented at the Korean Open will be at full strength as will China, Korea, Taiwan, Japan and Hong Kong. All of which should make the US200,000 Malaysian Open an exciting leg.

RESULTS OF KOREAN OPEN 2010

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Lee Chong Wei (MAS)               beat      Peter Gade (DEN)         21-12 21-11