SS FINALS 2010 Day 5 – Hat trick for Lee Chong Wei!

Lee Chong Wei did everything right again and was rewarded with a third straight title at the Victor BWF Super Series Finals.

By Don Hearn, Badzine Correspondent live in Taipei.  Photos: Badmintonphoto (live)

Lee Chong Wei put on a master class of men’s singles excellence, leading Peter Gade from start to finish and taking his third straight Super Series Finals title with a 21-9, 21-14 victory.  Not only has Lee had to beat Gade all three times on his way to winning this title, but the Gade-Lee final is becoming a January classic as well as they have have met in the Korea Open final in 2009 and 2010 before facing each other today.

Peter Gade warned, however, of counting on this as a New Year tradition that might continue until 2012: “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.  You are talking to an old guy,” laughed the 34-year-old.  “I have to take it one step at a time.

“I certainly didn’t expect to make it to the final. I am proud of what I did in this tournament.  Especially coming off a back injury, I just came here hoping to play some games and do my best.

“There is a reason why Lee Chong Wei is number one.  You have to have more than just a good day to beat him, especially now he is full of self-confidence so every shuttle is like this,” he said, illustrating the tightness of Lee’s shots with his fingers.

“For this year, my target is definitely the World Championships and then we’ll see about the Olympics.  At my age, I never know, the back injury could be a warning sign and the end could come at any minute, but I hope to play in the Olympics.

“For me, one of the things that keeps me going is that I am still able to play at this level in the top tournaments and I proved in the last year that I could beat everyone in the top ranks except for Lee Chong Wei and Lin Dan.”

Asked if this meant that beating Lee Chong Wei in the World Championship final this year could keep him going for another ten years, Gade laughed “No, if I beat him in the final, then maybe I will stop there.

“My next tournament will be the Premier Super Series in Korea, which all the top players are being required to play.  As you know, I love Malaysia and have played there all my life but with my age and the back injury, 3 tournaments in 4 weeks is too much and I had to make a choice.”

“Peter is a very experienced player and I don’t know how he can stay so competitive at 34,” said Lee Chong Wei.  “He played a great game and it is always difficult to play against him.

“It feels great to win a third time here. It would be nice if Lin Dan were here, too, as it would make for good matches for the spectators.

“For this year, I will not be going all out to defend my #1 ranking.  To ensure I qualify for the Olympics, I would like to stay in the top 3 but I can’t afford to risk injury by playing in too many tournaments.  I will play all the Premier Super Series, though, of course.

“Holding the Super Series Finals in Taiwan was a success, I think.  There are lots of badminton fans here and the Chinese Taipei Badminton Association treats the players well.”

For complete results from the BWF Super Series Finals, CLICK HERE

Come stay with us for the Super Series Finals at the Chateau de Chine.  Located at the heart of Sinjhuang City, Chateau de Chine Hotel is created to convey the vibrant and everlasting sense of traditional beauty. Inspired by the Art Nouveau style, Chateau de Chine hotel infuses the finest elegance of French design with an authentic touch of oriental aesthetics.   If you are looking for quality accommodation during the event or anytime you are visiting Taipei, check out their website here.