Tan Fook-Wan Wah save the day for Malaysia @ Yonex Sunrise India Open 2009
Posted By Saimatkong on Mar 30, 2009 | 0 comments
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Malaysia showed a tough fight in the Yonex Sunrise India Open 2009 at Hyderabad although World no.1 Lee Chong Wei lost in the 1st match of the India Open due to food poisoning. This will be the testing ground for them before the World Meet at the same location India. I enjoyed the game of Julia Wong and Pi Hongyan, it was a good match between them.
Only thing is there’s too much unforced error and a lot of the return were actually push too far behind the line and wondering is it the court too small and did not follow the international badminton court standard, I think it shouldn’t be ler? When it was most excited time, it rain and Astro cannot receive any signal, sigh!
After that it was well played by our veteran pair Chong Tan Fook and Lee Wan Wah, and it was impressive, they only took 17mins to beat Singapore (Hendri Kurniawan Saputra-Hendra Wijaya), then Taufik beat Hafiz. Hafiz is a cool man and he has his own character while playing. =)
Tan Fook-Wan Wah save the day for Malaysia
By RAJES PAUL
PETALING JAYA: Veterans Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah were the saving grace for Malaysia in the India Open at Hyderabad yesterday after Mohd Hafiz Hashim and Julia Wong served up double disappointments in the men’s and women’s singles finals.
Tan Fook-Wan Wah took only 17 minutes to demolish Hendri Kurniawan Saputra-Hendra Wijaya of Singapore 21-9, 21-11 in one of the most lopsided men’s doubles finals.
Despite playing in a weakened field, the win was important for Wan Wah-Tan Fook.
The former national pair are hoping to be named as the third Malaysian men’s pair for the World Championships, which will be held at the same venue from Aug 6-10.
The other two pairs assured of their places are Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong and Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari-Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif.
No sweat: Lee Wan Wah (left) and Choong Tan Fook showing off their India Open media after winning the men’s doubles title yesterday.-AFPWan Wah said that they were happy to save the day for Malaysia.
“Overall, we are satisfied although the field was not so strong. We probably scored our easiest ever win in a final match,” said Wan Wah in a telephone interview.
“This is the last tournament for us to impress the selectors because we are not going for the ABC (Asian Badminton Championships in Suwon from April 7-12). We have done our part (by winning the India Open) and now it is up to the selectors to decide whether to select us for the world meet.
“We will continue with our training and get ready for the next four tournaments (the Opens in the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia next month).”
Hafiz and Julia failed to make it a triple joy for Malaysia, losing their final matches in contrasting fashion.
Hafiz’s dream to win his first title in two years and ending his losing streak against Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia did not materialise when he went down 18-21, 19-21 in 30 minutes.
There were glimpses of Hafiz’s past brilliance but his inability to adapt to the draught in the stadium and inconsistent performances, especially at the crucial stages, saw the Malaysian bowing out to the fired-up Indonesian.
Julia Wong posing on the podium with her medal and cheque in Hyderabad on Sunday. – AFPBut for Julia, it was a big disappointment after coming agonisingly close to winning her first career title.
She was devastated after going down fighting 21-17, 15-21, 14-21 to world number four Pi Hongyan of France in a 54-minute battle.
“This is the closest that I came to winning a title. I was leading in the rubber game but yet I allowed her to get back into the match. I am truly very disappointed with myself,” said Julia.
“I played too safely in the second game. I should have wrapped up the match by playing more aggressively. My next tournament is the ABC and I will be out to give a better showing.”
Julia can walk tall despite the defeat. She put up a great fight and displayed variety in her attacking shots but unfortunately, it was the China-born player who came out superior when it mattered most.
Source : TheStar
