30 Jun CAMO2018: Evergreen Chong Wei to face young gun Momota in final

National men’s single and our sole survivor in the Celcom Axiata Malaysia Open 2018 (CAMO2018), Datuk Lee Chong Wei overcame a determined Tommy Sugiarto 21-18 21-15 in the semi-finals at Axiata Arena today.

Chong Wei, who has never lost to Sugiarto in 16 meetings before this, demonstrated a more tactical and cautious game play compared to his matches in the previous rounds.

It was a nervy start for the World No.6 when he went 4-0 behind early on but eventually managed to get a grasp of the match and composed himself to dominate the rest of the match.

“I am delighted with this win. It extends my win record over Tommy to 17-0 which is important for my end career record” he said after the match.

World No.1, Tai Tzu Ying of Taiwan will feature in the women’s singles final against China’s He Bingjiao in tomorrow’s Celcom Axiata Malaysia Open 2018 final day.

Chong Wei will go up against World No.11, Kento Momota from Japan for the showpiece final tomorrow and will be looking to avenge his loss to the 23-year old in the Asian Badminton Championship semis last April besides looking to claim his 12^th Malaysia Open title.

“Although I have to be fully focused when I face Momota in the final tomorrow, I want to enjoy the match as much as possible. He is on a long unbeaten run which makes him even more of a threat,” added the 37-year old.

Earlier today, Momota defeated fourth seed Srikanth Kidambi of India 21-13 21-13 in 42 minutes to book his spot in the final and stretch his winning streak to 22 matches since March.

Tomorrow’s finale will also see World No.1 Tai Tzu Ying of Taiwan contesting for the women’s singles title after beating India’s P.V. Sindhu in three sets 21-15 19-21 21-11. She will be going head to head against China’s He Bingjiao who overcame Ratchanok Intanon from Thailand 21-17 21-17 in the semis today.

Japanese men’s duo, Hiroyuki Endo-Yuta Watanabe who beat fourth seeds Li Junhui-Liu Yuchen of China today, will contest the men’s doubles final against  fellow countrymen and sixth seeds, Takeshi Kamura-Keigo Sonoda who defeated China’s pair of He Jiting-Tan Qiang 21-14 21-19.

In the women’s doubles category, top seeds Chen Qingchen -Jia Yifan of China will challenge for the top prize against Japan’s Misaki Matsutomo-Ayaka Takahashi, whilst the mixed doubles encounter will be an all China affair when Zheng Siwei-Huang Yaqiong take on compatriots Wang Yilyu-Huang Dongping.

The CAMO2018 finals for all categories will kick off at 12 pm onwards tomorrow at Axiata Arena, KL Sports City, Bukit Jalil.

Celcom Axiata Malaysia Open 2018 Semi-finals Results (30 June 2018)

Men’s Singles:

Kento Momota (JPN) bt Kidambi Srikanth (IND) 21-13 21-13

Lee Chong Wei (MAS) bt Tommy Sugiarto (INA) 21-18 21-15

Men’s Doubles:

Hiroyuki Endo (JPN)/Yuta Watanabe (JPN) bt Li Junhui (CHN)/ Liu Yuchen (CHN) 24-22 19-21 21-17

Takeshi Kamura (JPN)/Keigo Sonoda (JPN) bt He Jiting (CHN)/Tan Qiang (CHN) 21-14 21-19

Women’s Singles:

Tai Tzu Ying (TPE) bt Pusarla V. Sindhu (IND) 21-15 19-21 21-11

He Bingjiao (CHN) bt Ratchanok Intanon (THA) 21-17 21-17

 Women’s Doubles:

Chen Qingchen (CHN)/Jia Yifan (CHN) bt Kim Hye Rin (KOR)/Kong Hee Yong (KOR) 21-10 21-15

 Misaki Matsutomo (JPN)/Ayaka Takahashi (JPN) bt Della Destiara Haris (INA)/Rizki Amelia Pradipta (INA) 21-9 21-9

 Mixed Doubles:

Zheng Siwei (CHN)/Huang Yaqiong (CHN) bt Chris Adcock (ENG)/Gabrielle Adcock (ENG) 17-21 21-18 21-19

Wang Yilyu (CHN)/Huang Dongping (CHN) bt Yuta Watanabe (JPN)/Arisa Higashino (JPN) 21-15 21-13