Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei set up a sensational final clash against Japan’s Kento Momota at the Malaysia Open after an easy 21-18, 21-15 victory over Indonesia’s Tommy Sugiarto in the semifinals on Saturday. [caption id=“attachment_4640081” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]
Tai Tzu Ying and Lee Chong Wei in action. AFP[/caption] The triumph meant Lee, 35, extended his win ratio against Sugiarto to 17-0 following the 53-minute victory. Favourite Lee has won the Malaysia Open 11 times, and a win on Sunday would cement his status as the most successful player in the tournament. But the world number six faces a tough task against the powerful Momota, who is unbeaten in 21 matches. “I just hope to realize my dream of winning for the 12th time in the Malaysia Open, and to play well again,” Lee said after the victory. “Momota is a youngster who has improved a lot,” Lee said, adding, “he can conquer the world of badminton once…(I) retire. But I will enjoy the final tomorrow and play my best.” Momota was suspended in 2016 for gambling at an illegal casino by the Nippon Badminton Association. But the 23-year-old has made steady progress since his ban was lifted in May 2017, clinching his first major title by winning the Asian Championships in April this year. Momota beat Lee in the Asian Championships semi-final and went on to shock Olympic gold medallist Chen Long to be crowned badminton’s Asian champion in a stunning upset. On Saturday, Momota was again in brilliant form, needing just 42 minutes to see off India’s Srikanth Kidambi 21-13, 21-13. The women’s singles saw top seed Tai Tzu Ying set up a final clash against China’s He Bingjiao. Tai ousted India’s P.V. Sindhu 21-15, 19-21, 21-11, while He saw off Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon 21-17, 21-17. With inputs from AFP.
Highlights, Malaysia Open badminton final, results: Lee Chong Wei wins 12th title; Tai Tzu Ying claims women's singles crown
FP Sports
• July 1, 2018, 16:21:17 IST
Catch the live score and updates of the Malaysia Open final as defending champ Tai Tzu Ying and 11-time winner Lee Chong Wei eye titles
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July 1, 2018, 14:28:06 (IST)
July 1, 2018, 14:27:00 (IST)
LEE CHONG WEI WINS 12TH TITLE!
The Malaysian ace drops his racquet and himself on the floor as the Hawkeye confirms that the shuttle landed wide. The crowd erupts! He ends Momota’s 21-game winning streak to claim the men’s singles crown. A well-deserved 21-17, 23-21 win. What a legend! Simply the best.
July 1, 2018, 14:20:14 (IST)
22-21! The shuttle hits the top of the tape and lands inside Momota’s favour. LUCKY!
MATCH POINT FOR LEE CHONG WEI!
July 1, 2018, 14:18:42 (IST)
21-21! Oh, this match is going down the wire. Lee saves another gamepoint to draw level.
July 1, 2018, 14:18:02 (IST)
21-20! Lee makes an error again. He misjudges the shuttle and hits the net. Such a thriller!
July 1, 2018, 14:16:30 (IST)
20-20! Lee dictates the pace of the rally and saves a gamepoint. That was needed. This match has to be the best match of the tournament.
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July 1, 2018, 14:15:10 (IST)
20-19! A rare bad judgment by Lee there. Gamepoint for Momota. Can he force a decider?
July 1, 2018, 14:12:57 (IST)
19-19! Lee is moving Momota from side to side and finding angles to hit the winner. What a rally, what a match!
July 1, 2018, 14:11:53 (IST)
Make that four straight points and 19-18 in Momota’s favour.
July 1, 2018, 14:10:06 (IST)
17-18! Momota catches Lee off guard at the net to hit a superb winner. And suddenly, Momota is looking sharper.
July 1, 2018, 14:08:47 (IST)
18-15! Another smash and another point for Lee. Momota is finding it difficult to lift the bird from the tramlines.
July 1, 2018, 14:06:44 (IST)
14-17! Momota gets one back but he should thank Lee for that. The Malaysian ace tries to place his cross-court backhand shot inside the tramline but the shuttle lands wide.
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July 1, 2018, 14:04:39 (IST)
16-13! Momota lofts the shuttle and that’s a gift for Lee as he smashes on down the line. A three-point lead for the Malaysian ace.
July 1, 2018, 14:03:04 (IST)
14-12! Lee finally breaks Momota’s streak. Yet another 50-shot rally goes in the Malaysian ace’s favour.
July 1, 2018, 14:01:17 (IST)
July 1, 2018, 13:58:48 (IST)
9-13! Three straight points for Momota. He is trying to play more attacking shots to cause trouble. Will he close the gap?
July 1, 2018, 13:57:23 (IST)
13-6! Lee is making the most of the rallies by pushing Momota towards the backcourt. This the fourth time that the Japanese has applied more power to his shots.
July 1, 2018, 13:55:32 (IST)
12-5! The quality of the rallies is getting better and better. Lee has outsmarted Momota at the net. Every time!
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July 1, 2018, 13:54:44 (IST)
July 1, 2018, 13:52:16 (IST)
9-4! A flat body smash by Lee as he extends his lead over Momota. The Malaysian apologises to Momota as the shuttle hits the Japanese’s body.
July 1, 2018, 13:50:27 (IST)
8-4! A 50-shot rally goes in Lee’s favour. In the longest rally of the match, Lee kept his cool and won the battle of skill and will. Momota is struggling to find angles to attack.
July 1, 2018, 13:49:07 (IST)
7-4! The shuttle hits the top of the tape and lands in Momota’s half. That’s a gift Lee will accept with both hands.
July 1, 2018, 13:47:12 (IST)
6-3! A deceptive cross-court shot takes Momota by surprise. The Japanese shuttler is covering the forecourt area since the start of the game but Lee has been targetting the backcourt since the last two serves.
July 1, 2018, 13:45:32 (IST)
4-1! Lee is on a roll right now the crowd is going bonkers. His quick feet has allowed him to cover the court with ease.
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July 1, 2018, 13:43:13 (IST)
Lee draws first blood
The Malaysian has been extremely good at the net, keeping Momota on his toes. The pressure is on the Japanese Momota, who looks a little bid nervous from the back of the court. Lee takes the first game 21-17
July 1, 2018, 13:38:59 (IST)
20-17! Momota overhits this time as his shot lands wide. Great judgment by Lee. MATCH POINT OPPORTUNITY.
July 1, 2018, 13:37:33 (IST)
19-17! Lee restores his lead with a superb flick. Momota looks baffled at the moment.
July 1, 2018, 13:36:37 (IST)
17-18! We have another 40-shot rally and it goes in Momota’s favour once again. Lee overhits the cross-court slice as the shuttle hits the net.
July 1, 2018, 13:35:42 (IST)
18-16! Just outstanding netplay from Lee to extend his lead over Momota as we approach the end of the opening game. Lee’s net play has been excellent so far.
July 1, 2018, 13:33:16 (IST)
17-15! Lee judges the shuttle accurately to bag two consecutive points. The drift inside the court isn’t helping Momota here.
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July 1, 2018, 13:31:22 (IST)
15-14! The shuttle was just millimetres away from dropping on the other side of the court. Unlucky Momota. Lee leads by a single point.
July 1, 2018, 13:29:46 (IST)
13-13! Another quality rally but this time, Momota gets the better of Lee at the net. The Japanese shuttler pushes the shuttle from the forecourt to level the scores.
July 1, 2018, 13:25:58 (IST)
12-10! Lee leaves Momota stranded there. The Malaysian has attacked superbly from the net. Momota looks tensed.
July 1, 2018, 13:25:16 (IST)
July 1, 2018, 13:22:49 (IST)
10-8! Lee gets the better of Momota at the net. Only he can play those delicate cross-court slices with perfection.
July 1, 2018, 13:21:45 (IST)
8-8! A jump smash down Lee’s right tramline levels the scores in the first game. The Malaysian shuttler had no chance. Momota can make full use of those crisp smashes.
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July 1, 2018, 13:19:55 (IST)
8-6! It’ll be interesting to see if Momota can prevent Lee from scoring easy points. The Malaysian looks pumped up and has played so many attacking strokes from the mid-court area.
July 1, 2018, 13:19:00 (IST)
7-5! So, we have the first rally of the match. A 33-shot rally turns in Lee’s favour as Momota mishits the shuttle. A rare error by the Japanese.
July 1, 2018, 13:18:09 (IST)
July 1, 2018, 13:15:47 (IST)
5-4! And Lee leads by a single point. A flat push towards Momota’s backhand side was enough to unsettle the Japanese shuttler there.
End of Liveblog