Lee Chong Wei kept his title in Birmingham but this victory was probably even sweeter than his maiden gold at the Yonex All England. This time, he beat the best player of all time – Super Dan – in the final he led from start to finish.
By Raphael Sachetat, live from Birmingham. Photos: Badmintonphoto
It was clearly a show. Players entering with songs hitting the charts all over the world, with lighting effect, an audience ready for a great evening and a NIA Stadium filled with spectators eager to see the clash of the week between Lee Chong Wei and Lin Dan. This special match had been on everyone’s lips since the draws were released. Since Lee and Lin, the two arc rivals had been drawn on either side of the competition. Lee had warned that after winning his first title here, he was clearly going to enjoy the evening, not pressuring himself while Lin Dan had shown glimpses of weaknesses in the semi final, just before attempting to enter History and clinch a fifth title in the event.
If some “Jia You”s were shouted from time to time, the singing and dancing Malaysian colony way up in the stands made much more noise and had more opportunities to cheer for their hero: Lee Chong Wei was simply playing the perfect game while Lin Dan, in good form but not as incisive as usual, was struggling to put the shuttles down. Chong Wei, patient and relying on his incredible defence was banking on his stamina and great knowledge of his opponent.’s game. After more than 15 meetings, the Malaysian knew that the Chinese had to play his very best to beat him and that what he had seen from Lin this week could mean he would get a second consecutive title.
The first game was very close with great rallies, accurate net play, smart clears, big attacks but the Malaysian was able to come on top while Lin was obviously not happy with his speed – his usual giant killers from the back were often caught by the Malaysian. The rallies were tighter than the score showed when Chong Wei led 17-11, but the Malaysian had taken too big of a margin to lose the first game, which he pocketed 21-17. He led most of the second game, with one of two points advantage until Lin caught back at 17-17, and tried to accelerate the pace of the game, bringing excitement to the Chinese fans. But a few mistakes and a very solid play from Chong Wei saw the Malaysian come on top with a similar score in the second game, 21-17 . He fell on his knees and embraced his coaches before going to see Lin Dan already packing his stuff and getting a warm hug from his main opponent. The Chinese had the head down as he knew there was no solution for him against Chong Wei and was later to admit that he was not the best on court today.
“Chong Wei played very well and on my end, I have played too many matches at home for the Chinese league and in Germany then here. I just didn’t have the motivation or the will to fight more than I did” said Lin Dan. For Chong Wei, this victory may taste even sweeter than last year’s – then, the Malaysian had not beaten Lin Dan, a player he considers as the only one he can’t beat on cue.
“ I am very pleased to have beaten Lin Dan today. It is always special to beat him in any tournament. This All England title is something special to me after I won it last year for the first time. I will be attempting to win my third title next year. But before that, of course, I will try to win the World Championships here in England” he told the press after receiving a phone Call from the Prime Minister of Malaysia who had stayed up to watch the game back home.
Article taken from The Star Online
Lee retains All-England title in classy fashion
PETALING JAYA: For the first time, Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei truly felt on top of the world.
Yesterday, Chong Wei showed who was the real boss on the court when he defeated his nemesis, Lin Dan of China, 21-17, 21-17 in a highly-charged 52-minute final to retain the All-England title.
It was a priceless win and an ecstatic Chong Wei slumped to his knees in sheer delight before rising to the thunderous applause of the fans at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham.
It was the first time that Chong Wei had beaten Lin Dan to win a major title and the record between the two archrivals now stands at 7-18.
With the win, too, Chong Wei reaffirmed his status as the world No. 1 and also hung on to the number one standing in the Super Series rankings.
And Chong Wei also became the first Malaysian to retain the All-England title since Eddy Choong pulled off the feat in 1956 and 1957.
But more importantly, the win yesterday showed that Chong Wei has the ability to come out of Lin Dan’s shadow and be a real challenger for the Olympic gold in London next year.
Lin Dan, gunning for a second consecutive Premier Super Series title after nailing the first in South Korea, got off to a smashing start but it was not too long before Chong Wei got into the groove.
Looking more confident and focused in his approach, Chong Wei piled up the pressure on the three-time world champion, often catching Lin Dan with his clever moves at the net and showing incredible defence to frustrate the Chinese.
They were tied at 8-8 and at one stage Lin Dan was affected by a bad line call and it allowed Chong Wei to pull away to 17-10.
But Lin Dan, who was ironically more interested in playing rallies than using his lethal attacking shots, fought back to 17-18. But that was as far as he went as Chong Wei snapped out of the spell to take the first game.
The second game was even tighter as both tried to outfox each other with their tight net shots and super fast counter attacks until they were tied at 17-17.
Instead of buckling under pressure like he used to before, a cool and composed Chong Wei romped home to take four points in a row to land himself a third title of the year after victories at the Super Series Masters Finals in Taiwan and Malaysia Open in January.
National coach Rashid Sidek hailed Chong Wei’s achievement as a big breakthrough.
“He played a superb game and was able to overcome the psychological barrier against Lin Dan,” he said in a telephone interview.
“He not only handle the challenge from Lin Dan well but he also executed excellent counter attacks to pressure Lin Dan. That to me is a big improvement.
“Today, Lin Dan was making most of the mistakes and he was unable to kill some of Chong Wei’s shots. Chong Wei, on the other hand, maintained a consistent pace.
“Chong Wei has always been criticised for winning the small tournaments. But this time, he defeated Lin Dan for a big one.”
Article taken from NST Online
King of All England again
The 28-year-old dropped to his knees and covered his face with his hands after clinching the final point in his 21-17, 21- 17 victory over Lin Dan for his eighth career victory over his rival to become the first Malaysian in 54 years to retain the All England title.
Chong Wei's key to yesterday's victory was his explosive start in both games, which the China shuttler failed to absorb in the 52-minute encounter.
The Penang-born began the match aggressively as it was the only way he had any hope of causing an upset.
It was tight as both players exchanged points before Chong Wei, raced ahead 11-9 before taking a healthy 18-12 lead.
But several unforced errors by Chong Wei allowed Lin Dan to reduce the deficit by a mere point but the Malaysian regained his intensity with a powerful smash to earn the final point.
There was little to separate both players in the second game but Chong Wei used his lethal smashes effectively and took a midway lead at 11-9.
Lin Dan kept digging deep and his efforts were rewarded as Chong Wei's focus started to waver, and the former world champion leveled at 17-17.
However, Chong Wei showed why he is such an exceptional performer as he regained his composure and secured the next four points to win the second game and the title.
It was Chong Wei's first victory, after two straight losses to Lin Dan, since his victory at last September's Japan Open final.
Chong Wei, who has held the World No 1 ranking since Sept, 2008, earned US$26,650 (RM79,800) for his efforts while Lin Dan received US$13,300 (RM40,440).
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