Koreans stand in top pair's way

2009/11/22

By K.M. Boopathy

WORLD No 1 Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong moved within a match of securing their fifth title of the year but it was the end of the road for women's doubles Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui in the China Open in Shanghai yesterday. Kien Keat-Boon Heong shed their habit of losing focus against lower ranked pairs as they defeated World No 15 Chen Hung Ling-Lin Yu Lang of Taiwan 21-15, 21-13 in 26 minutes.

Pei Tty-Eei Hui, as expected, continued their uninspiring run against China's pairs and lost to Tian Qing-Zhang Yawen, a new combination, 21-17, 21-8 in 39 minutes.

Kien Keat-Boon Heong were almost bundled out by South Korean back-up pair Shin Baek Cheol-Cho Gun Woo in the quarter-finals on Friday but managed to scrape through.

Kien Keat-Boon Heong meet their bogey pair Jung Jae Sung-Lee Yong Dae, the South Korean No 1, in the final today.

Kien Keat-Boon Heong must be at their best after having lost to Jae Sung-Yong Dae in all three meetings this year.

Jung Jae Sung (left) and Lee Yong Dae will be playing Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong in the final today.

National doubles coach Rosman Razak, in a telephone interview from Shanghai, said Kien Keat-Boon Heong must change their approach when playing against lower ranked pairs.

"Kien Keat-Boon Heong probably think too much on how to beat the leading pairs that they forget about the lower ranked pairs. They must change their approach and must be prepared for every combination," said Rosman.



"In the final tomorrow (today), it will be different. The Koreans have a better record and are on a high but if Kien Keat-Boon Heong are relaxed and battle till the end, there is a chance to win."

Rosman added that Kien Keat-Boon Heong are a little tired after having played in all four Super Series events over the last six weeks and their mental strength will be tested in the final.

RESULTS -- (All S-Finals) Men's Singles: Jan Jorgensen (Den) bt Chen Jin (Chn) 11-21, 21-18, 22-20; Lin Dan (Chn) bt Park Sung Hwan (Kor) 21-10, 21-11.

Doubles: Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong (Mas) bt Chen Hung Ling-Lin Yu Lang (Tai) 21-15, 21-13; Jung Jae Sung-Lee Yong Dae (Kor) bt Mathias Boe-Carsten Mogensen (Den) 21-16, 19-21, 23-21.

Women's Singles: Jiang Yanjiao (Chn) bt Wang Shixian (Chn) 21-17 21-14; Wang Xin (Chn) bt Li Xuerui (Chn) 21-19, 21-19 .

Doubles: Tian Qing-Zhang Yawen (Chn) bt Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui (Mas) 21-17, 21-8; Du Jing-Yu Yang (Chn) bt Ma Jin-Wang Xiaoli (Chn) 22-20, 21-18.

Mixed Doubles: Lee Yong Dae-Lee Hyo Jung (Kor) bt Songphon Anugritayawon-Kunchala Voravichitchaikul (Tha) 21-13, 20-22, 21-15. Zheng Bo-Ma Jin (Chn) w.o Zhang Nan-Zhao Yunlei (Chn).