NST Online: Sports

Badminton: Chong Wei needs new game plan

Posted: 31 Oct 2011 05:17 PM PDT

2011/11/01
Ajitpal Singh
ajitpalsingh@nst.com.my

IT is time for Lee Chong Wei to work on new strategies in the wake of his defeats to China's Chen Long in the finals of the Japan and Denmark Opens.

Despite his victory over the World No 2 in Paris, en route to winning the French Open, the 29-year-old must avoid defeat in future events as he cannot afford to be beaten by a second China shuttler, apart from Lin Dan, on a regular basis ahead of next year's London Olympic Games.

BA of Malaysia (BAM) high performance director Datuk James Selvaraj said Chong Wei needs to work on a surprise element in his game to remain superior over Chen Long.

"Chen Long plays like Lin Dan but is more deceptive due to his age and height. And this is dangerous," said James yesterday.

"Chong Wei's inability to beat Lin Dan is more psychological but as for Chen Long, he is losing because this shuttler is playing better."

According to James, China coaches have devised a new strategy for their players to adopt when playing Chong Wei.

"They are telling their players to avoid net plays and also to send the shuttle to the corners against him.

"In my personal view, Chong Wei must add a twist to his game by adding cross court strokes. I need to discuss this with his coach Tey Sue Bock," said the former international.

James was also concerned with Chong Wei's fitness as he noticed that the player was breathing heavily against Chen Long in the final of the Denmark Open.

"He was breathing hard. I believe it is the age factor as Chen Long is younger. Chong Wei needs to work on his fitness.

"He should also limit his participation in tournaments as we need him to be free from injuries for the London Olympics," he said.

Chong Wei has three tournaments -- Hong Kong Open, China Open and Macau Open -- left this year but James would prefer if he withdraws from one event.

"I think it would be too taxing if he plays in all three. I need to bring this up with Chong Wei," he added.

BAM must also check on Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong's form following their back-to-back early round defeats in Europe.

If the World No 5 continue to play below par, the former All England champions can forget about winning a medal at the Olympic next year.

Sunday's French Open Results (all finals) -- Men's singles: Lee Chong Wei (Mas) be Kenichi Tago (Jpn) 21-16, 21-11; Doubles: Jung Jae Sung-Lee Yong Dae (Kor) bt Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng (Chn) 14-21, 21-15, 21-11; Women's singles: Wang Xin (Chn) bt Li Xuerui (Chn) 21-15, 21-19; Doubles: Wang Xiaoli Wang-Yu Yang (Chn) bt Tian Qing- Zhao Yunlei 26-24, 21-15; Mixed doubles: Joachim Fischer Nielsen-Christinna Pedersen (Den) bt Xu Chen-Ma Jin (Chn) 21-17, 21-14.

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Golf: Lewis to light up Iskandar Johor Open

Posted: 31 Oct 2011 05:11 PM PDT

Tom Lewis won the recent Portugal Masters.

HE may not be a household name among golf fans on this side of the world yet but rookie Tom Lewis makes an exciting name to watch at this year's Iskandar Johor Open after his remarkable win at the recent Portugal Masters.

Lewis, 20, chalked up his maiden professional win at the Portugal Masters in only his third professional appearance, equalling the record for fastest professional title win at three and bettering Tiger Woods who won in his fifth and Rory Mcllroy who captured his first title at the 38th time of asking.

"I didn't expect my first win to come this soon at all," said Lewis who birdied five of his last seven holes to take the title by two strokes. "It's very much a relief not to have to go to the Tour School at the end of the year."

With the win, the Englishman secured his European Tour card for the next two years, leapt 455 places on the Official World Golf Rankings to 166th and also jumped to third place on The Ryder Cup points table, as well as entering the all-important top 60 of The Race to Dubai.

"I've not thought about the money -- I was thinking about winning," Lewis said of his incredible week where he had 22 birdies and only one bogey in the last 52 holes.

"I've got a long way to go. I'm nowhere near the player I want to be, so I'll put this win behind me at the end of the year and start fresh next year."

Lewis burst onto the world stage at The Open Championship last July when he shot an opening round 65 to take the lead, becoming the first amateur in more than 40 years to accomplish such a feat. He eventually finished in a tie for 30th and was awarded the Silver Medal for low amateur.

Lewis then played a part in the victorious Britain & Ireland Walker Cup side before joining the professional ranks, producing a top-ten finish in his first event at the Austrian Golf Open and making the cut at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

On the back of such meteoric rise, Lewis may even be worth a few punts to clinch the US$2 million (RM6.2 million) championship when he tees it up at Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club Nov 17-20.

The fifth edition of the Iskandar Johor Open boasts a stellar field -- with multiple major winner, Padraig Harrington, defending his title against big names including eight-time Europeans No 1, Colin Montgomerie. Other big names include Camilo Villegas, Anthony Kim, Henrik Stenson and Thongchai Jaidee.

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Kredit: www.nst.com.my

Isnin, 31 Oktober 2011

NST Online: Sports

NST Online: Sports

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