MALAYSIA OPEN 2011 Finals – Chai/Guo the new pair with a new title

It was a great start of the year for the Danes and a great first final for Mads Conrad-Petersen but China’s Chai Biao was to be the newest Super Series winner on Sunday at the 2011 Proton Malaysia Open Super Series.

By Adrian Kok, Badzine Correspondent live in Kuala Lumpur. Photos: Yves Lacroix for Badmintonphoto (live)

Mads Conrad-Petersen/Jonas Rasmussen booked a place into finals the very first time when they beat their Japanese opponents yesterday at the semi-finals. Then today they were up against Guo Zhendong / Chai Biao from China, who were also playing their first Super Series final as a pair.  While Conrad Petersen was the only player on court who had never been in a final before today, Chai Biao, by far the youngest of the four, was also here looking for his first title.

The match started with a good lead from the Danes. However as the first game progress Guo/Chai began to capitalize on the weak defense of Mads. The young Dane did not look like he was playing his own game.

In the second game, the Danes again took an early lead but Guo/Chai again gained command of the rallies.  There were plenty of great rallies but the Danes unfortunately cannot convert enough of them into points. Eventually the Chinese pair won the match 21-16, 21-14.

“We felt that we did not have the killing touch today,” said Jonas.  “We did not have the edge like we did the whole week long. But the Chinese pair played a better game.”

“I was initially nervous but as the game progressed, I was getting more confident,” Mads added.  “It is my first Super Series final and I am happy with my performance but I know there is still a lot of work ahead of me.

“We will meet them next week at the Korean Open, so we are going to analyze our game and find where the weaknesses of the Chinese pair are.”

“Mads has a great future ahead of him, being only 23 years old,” said Jonas.  “The goal for us this year is to qualify for the World Championships.  We’d like to prove to our coaches and the world that we can do well in the international arena.”

“We have some areas to work on as we are a newly formed pair,” said Chai. “We will continue to work on our areas of weakness and prepare for the upcoming Korea Open.”

For complete results from the 2011 Proton Malaysia Open Super Series, CLICK HERE

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