MALAYSIA OPEN 2011 Finals – Lucky number 7 for Lee Chong Wei

Badminton fans flocked to Kuala Lumpur’s Stadium Putra to watch Malaysian hero Lee Chong Wei battle Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia in the final final of the and Lee served up some flawless badminton and a record to boot.

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

The atmosphere at Putra Stadium was explosive as the announcement came for the fifth and final match of the 2011 Proton Malaysian Open.  Both players, already legends of the game, were greeted with much applause by the crowd.

A steady start from Lee gave him the lead in the first game.  His impeccable form was really a seamless continuation from his win yesterday against Chen Long.  Taufik looked helpless as Lee ruled every rally.  The in-form Lee sealed the first game within literally a matter of minutes.

Again Lee took a huge lead in the second game and the death knell sounded for Taufik’s chances as the defending champion had gold in his grasp with a commanding 18-8 margin.

The game then turned as Lee began to be plagued with mistakes while Taufik suddenly found energy, power, precision and confidence: everything he needed to take the opportunity to catch up with Lee.  But after allowing his friend and adversary to approach to 17-18, the already six-time Malaysian champion surged away again and sealed the second game with a smash.  Lee lifted his arms into the air celebrating his 7^th Malaysia open title victory.

“I am happy that I got my 7^th title because I know that it is not easy winning this title for Malaysia as I am the only player left playing on home ground,” said Lee.

“I would like to bring this form that I have to the Korea Open next week,” added Lee, who will be in the same half of the draw with the likes of Chen Jin, Bao Chunlai, Park Sung Hwan and Jan O Jorgensen.

“The Korea Open will not be easy, I will have to take each round at a time.”

“Chong Wei played a good game today, it was hard for me to catch up to him,” said Taufik.  “I really hope that Chong Wei can win the big tournaments that are to come.”

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