TheStar KUALA LUMPUR: Mohd Hafiz Hashim recovered from the brink of defeat to oust national number shuttler Wong Choong Hann yet again and set-up a mouth-watering final encounter with top seed Lee Chong Wei in the Selangor Open last night. The battling 22-year-old Hafiz toiled for 90 minutes to dispose of favourite Choong Hann 15-7, 16-17, 15-13 at the packed and stifling SBA Hall in Kampung Attap here. It was Hafiz's second consecutive win over Choong Hann. He had also beaten the national top shuttler in the Malacca Open semi-finals last month. Mohd Hafiz Hashim thanks the crowd after beating top seed Wong Choong Hann 15-7, 16-17, 15-13 in the semi-finals of the Selangor Open on Monday. The semi-final match saw Hafiz making remarkable comebacks in the deciding rubber. All seemed lost when Hafiz was trailing at 0-7 and 8-13 but with his stinging smashes, he chased every point and kept the fans on the edge of the seats. In the end, Choong Hann was caught by the fired up Hafiz. But a relieved Hafiz was still unhappy, lamenting his failure in winning the tie in straight games. “I was leading in the second game 16-14 but I threw away three straight points after sending the shuttle out. It was such a waste,†he said. “Then, everything looked bad for me when I trailed 0-7. But I did not give up hope and kept telling myself to pick up the pace. I am glad I got the better of him again.†On his final match against Chong Wei: “I lost to him in the final of the Malacca Open. He is better than me skill wise but I will try to get the better of him. I have never won a local senior title and I think, I have the best chance to make it happen this time.†Luck was certainly not on Choong Hann's side yesterday. And poor line calls did not help his cause either. “I was so frustrated with some of the calls by the linesmen. I even brought it up to the umpire but it fell on deaf ears,†he lamented. “I got stuck at 13 and wasted eight services. I think, luck was not on my side. A shuttle flew in from the adjacent court that stopped play when we were tied at 13-13 and I could have won a point then. There was a possibility of winning the match. “But I am not disappointed with my game. My game did not lack quality and I knew I gave everything I had. Hafiz just played better.†The 22-year-old Chong Wei, who aims to keep his unbeaten streak at the local scene intact since winning the 2002 GP Finals, ended the gallant run of Ismail Saman with an easy 15-1, 15-11 win in another semi-finals. He took just 10 minutes to blow away Ismail in the first game. In the second, they were locked in a close tussle but Chong Wei eventually pulled away for the win. “I was confident of beating Ismail. He gave a fight in the second game but I was not rattled at all. I knew I had him from the first game,†said Chong Wei. On the final match dubbed as the battle among the future top players of the country, Chong Wei does not want to be over confident. “Hafiz is playing well. He is an aggressive player. But I will try to trap him with my deception. I beat him in Malacca and I will be out to continue my winning ways in the local tournaments,†he added. In the women's singles, Sabahan Amelia Anscelly continued her good run when she upset reigning national champion and second seed Julia Wong 9-11, 11-8, 11-9 to set-up a showdown with top seed Woon Sze Mei. Meanwhile, Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah conceded their men’s doubles semi-final match after Wan Wah sustained a knee injury. The pair was leading 15-6, 5-4 against second seed Tan Bin Shen-Ong Soon Hock when the problem occurred. “I felt a sudden pain and my movement was affected. I did not want to take the risk,†said Wan Wah. His fear is understandable as he was out of action for five-month after lowing an operation on his nagging knee problem last year.
im begining to really like this 2 month ban imposed by BAM on its players. i find it so because it allows all the top plyers to take part in the local tournaments that help gauge everyones ability, even new comers. i like the idea so much im hoping that they do it again next year! hopefully tho next year BAM may find a more suitable timeslot that doesnt jeapordizes participation in big star events like the 5 star denmark open. here's a report on the result of the concluding Selangor open ------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Star Online > Sports Wednesday October 13, 2004 Chong Wei still the best singles player BY RAJES PAUL KUALA LUMPUR: Lee Chong Wei proved he is the best men's singles player in the country at the moment by carving out a sensational win over Mohd Hafiz Hashim in an explosive final of the Selangor Open at the SBA Hall here yesterday. The 22-year-old Chong Wei toiled for 63 minutes, displaying some great badminton shots, to take down a fighting Hafiz 15-9, 13-15, 15-9. The win extended Chong Wei's unbeaten run in the local scene – he has won very meet since winning the GP Finals in 2002. I DID IT: Lee Chong Wei beat Mohd Hafiz Hashim 15-9,13-15,15-9 for the Selangor Open title last night. Malaysian Open champion Chong Wei, who played a more aggressive game yesterday, was happy with his win but was quick to salute his tough opponent yesterday. “Hafiz certainly played better than in the Malacca Open final. He was sharp in his attacking and made fewer mistakes. I was prepared for a tough match and indeed it was one of the toughest matches I had played,†said Chong Wei. The match yesterday started some 40 minutes late as technical officials needed to conduct evening prayers. But once the power-packed match started, the wait was forgotten as the two fought a ding-dong battle until they were tied at 9-9. Chong Wei, however, pulled away with 15-9 win. Both continued with some masterly play in the second game and the lead changed hands until 11-11. Then, the role reversed with Hafiz pulling away with some fine smashes to take a 14-11 lead. Chong Wei pushed Hafiz to all four corners to inch closer at 13-14. But Hafiz huffed and puffed to get the final point. It was an anti-climax in the rubber as Chong Wei raced to a commanding 12-1 lead. Hafiz chased with seven consecutive points and looked as though he was set to stage another great comeback, but Chong Wei snapped from his slump to win 15-12. The Penangite was modest about his victory afterwards, saying he refused to accept that the victory consolidated his status as the top player in the country. “No, I am still not the best in the country. Roslin (Hashim) did not play in this tournament. It will be great to win the title when all the top players are here. “I am looking forward to the GP Finals (Dec 21-24 in Ipoh). I want to win my third consecutive title.†If he was disappointed for failing to win his first senior local title, Hafiz did not show it. “I am satisfied with my game. This is certainly a better game from me. I knew we had a 50-50 chance but today, Chong Wei was the better player. He was more patient and today he played more aggressively,†said the 22-year-old. “But I will be back. I will be out to get it right at the GP Finals,†he added. National singles chief coach Misbun Sidek was all smiles. “I am happy with these two talents. They played exceptionally well here. They are certainly moving up the ranks and overtaking our current national number one Wong Choong Hann. It is good for our future,†said Misbun. In the women's singles, top seed Woon Sze Mei was stretched to the limit by 16-year-old Amelia Anscelly in the final. But the veteran staved off a great challenge to win 11-9, 13-10 in 43 minutes. RESULTS All finals DIVISION ONE Men Singles: Lee Chong Wei bt Mohd Hafiz Hashim 15-9, 13-15, 15-9 Women Singles: Woon Sze Mei bt Amelia Anscelly 11-9, 13-10 Mixed doubles(final played on Monday): Koo Kien Keat-Wong Pei Tty bt Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif-Chin Eei Hui 15-11, 15-5.
