KUALA LUMPUR, July 10 — Truly unstoppable.
After winning the 2022 Malaysia Open by beating Thai duo Dechapol Puavaranukroh – Sapsiree Taerattanachai 21 – 13, 21 – 18, last week, China’s world number one pair Zheng Si Wei – Huang Ya Qiong continued their impressive form as they secured their second successive title here with the 2022 Malaysia Masters.
The second seeds of the tournament came out tops against the unseeded Indonesians, Rinov Rivaldy – Pitha Haningtyas Mentari at the Axiata Arena.
Si Wei – Ya Qiong were in their element right from the start and capped off their eventful two weeks in Malaysia with a 21 – 17, 21 – 12 victory in 32 minutes.
Si Wei said the duo’s recipe for success was not to set their mind on winning every tournament, which took much of the pressure off.
“Apart from focusing on one match at a time, we also have to ensure that we eat and rest well,” he told reporters when met after the match.
Today’s result saw the mixed doubles pair bag their sixth title in a row within the span of two months with the first being the 2022 Badminton Asia Championships in Manila, Philippines, in May, where they prevailed against compatriots Wang Yi Lyu – Huang Dong Ping, 21 – 17, 21 – 8.
Meanwhile, in an all-Indonesian men’s doubles final, sixth seeds Fajar Alfian – Muhammad Rian Ardianto won the bragging rights with a 21 – 12, 21 – 19 victory over their seniors and third seeds Mohammad Ahsan – Hendra Setiawan.
Fajar said although it was sad not being able to celebrate Aidiladha with their families back in Indonesia, it was a worthwhile sacrifice as they repeated their feat from 2018 when they beat Malaysian pair Goh V Shem – Tan Wee Kiong, 14 – 21, 24 – 22, 21 – 13.
This was Indonesia’s second title in the tournament after their new men’s singles ace Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo claimed his maiden open title following a 22 – 20, 21 – 15 victory over eighth seed Ng Ka Long Angus of Hong Kong, earlier today.
China also earned their second title today through the women’s doubles, where top seeds Chen Qing Chen – Jia Yi Fan beat Japan’s Nami Matsuyama – Chiharu Shida, 21 – 11, 21 – 12.
Yi Fan described playing in back-to-back tournaments as tiring but was nevertheless happy with the outcome today.
— Bernama
