GEORGE TOWN, Jan 24 — Rising star Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin’s hopes of pulling off an upset against “top gun” Datuk Lee Chong Wei at the Malaysian Masters Grand Prix Gold (GP Gold) badminton championship here were dashed today.
Chong Wei, who has won the title four years in a row from 2009 to 2012, picked up his fifth when he romped home to a 21-18, 21-11 victory against Iskandar at the SPICE Arena here.
“Today we could see Iskandar give a good fight,” said former world number one Chong Wei. “In the first set I was not in full attacking mode and he capitalised on it. By the second set, I had already read his play, and perhaps I am more experienced (in controlling the game).
“I have never played the Malaysian Masters in my hometown. I am very happy to pick up my first title this year here. I am looking ahead to the All-England and Swiss Open next.”
Iskandar said his world fifth-ranked “elder brother” was adept at anticipating his shots, which made it difficult for him to have the upper hand.
“Chong Wei’s speed is unbelievable, that was what made it difficult for me to score points. I hope after this I can up my game physically,” said the 24-year-old.
In the men’s doubles finals, Malaysian professional pair Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong were taken out in three sets by Indonesian pair Gideon Markus Fernaldi/Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo 18-21, 21-13, 21-18 in a match that lasted almost an hour.
“We let them steal points,” said Boon Heong. “In the third set the gap was too wide to catch up. We did our best even though we lost.”
In the women’s singles final, India’s P.V. Sindhu downed Kirsty Gilmour of Scotland in straight sets 21-15, 21-9 in 32 minutes to pick up the winner’s purse of US$9,000 (RM37,800).
The women’s doubles top seeds Misaki Matsutomo/Ayaka Takahashi of Japan also lived up to their seeding by defeating Chinese pair Tang Yuanting/Yu Yang 21-18, 22-20.
The singles offered prize money of US$9,000 and US$4,560 to the winner and runner-up while for the doubles it was US$9,480 and US$4,560 respectively. — Bernama
