Lee Chong Wei returned to badminton’s big time and bright lights today, emphatically wresting the Yonex French Open title from the defending champion.
Celebrating his first MetLife BWF World Superseries victory of the year, the legendary Men’s Singles player triggered a standing ovation as he soared high to seal the honours with a 
trademark jump smash: 21-13 21-18 in 47 minutes.
“I have tried my best in every match here. I thank the crowd for supporting me. I have more confidence now and I hope I can play even better in China and Hong Kong,” said the Malaysian, swept up in the euphoria and hinting he could be lured back to Paris next October.
His emotional reaction, screaming and punching the air on match point, highlighted just how much this meant to a star recording his 40th World Superseries and third French Open success. While Lee has savoured much greatness in his career, recent times have been testing in ways that even his toughest opponents never challenged him.
In crushing the aspirations of last year’s winner, Chou Tien Chen, Lee proved not only to fans, but also to himself, that he still has what it takes and is among the sport’s best. Banished to badminton wilderness with an eight-month sanction for a doping violation, he has struggled in three previous World Superseries events in Japan, Korea and Denmark respectively, but this past week – as he blew out 33 birthday candles – Lee showcased his immense skills and experience for all to enjoy.
“I think it’s the best birthday present, yes,” he declared, breaking into a wide smile as he spoke to media.
Taking a few minutes at the start to get the measure of a rival whom he was playing for the very first occasion, Lee then exploded with a dazzling array of shots and changes of pace, using his racket like a wand to cast a spell on centre court at Stade Pierre de Coubertin. Powerless amid this onslaught, Chou seemed a puppet – being pulled and pushed at Lee’s magical will – suddenly scrambling to duel at net and then, just as quickly, being propelled towards the baseline, desperate to save another lightning shuttle from across the net.
It was a hopeless pursuit, even with a run of six straight points that took the Chinese Taipei athlete to the cusp of drawing level with his esteemed opponent in the second game. In the end, the vanquished Chou acknowledged the better player won.
“He’s very fast and strong. I wanted to keep going but every time I changed my style it wasn’t working. In the second game I tried to maintain my speed and I played better – but it still wasn’t good enough to beat him,” said the runner-up.
“It was difficult to read what he was doing. Sometimes he was fast; sometimes slow. I need to improve. I can learn a lot from him.”
In Mixed Doubles, Ko Sung Hyun and Kim Ha Na’s rising stock climbed even further with a hard-fought victory over first-time World Superseries finalists, Praveen Jordan and Debby Susanto.
The two pairs were deadlocked 2-2 in their previous four encounters and today’s battle again went the distance as the Indonesians fought back admirably before faltering on the last few plays. The Koreans snuck home, 21-10 15-21 21-19, to claim their second tour win in two weeks.
“We are getting more confident and we are learning more from our new coach,” revealed Kim, thanking fans for their great support throughout the week.
HIGHLIGHTS:
* A rampant Carolina Marin got back into her winning groove with a 21-18 21-10 triumph versus China’s Wang Shixian. The Spaniard, who became the Women’s Singles world No.1 again last week, pulled away from Wang in the latter stages of the opening game. Racing to a 15-3 lead, she tightened her grip on her fourth 2015 World Superseries title and, despite a blip in concentration towards the end, the result was never in doubt. Marin served notice to her challengers that she will be hunting more glory before the season concludes.
* The Korean juggernaut of Lee Yong Dae and Yoo Yeon Seong ploughed through Danish pair, Mads Conrad-Petersen and Mads Pieler Kolding, in straight games to register their fourth consecutive Men’s Doubles championship. So dominant have Lee and Yoo been since the World Superseries circuit resumed in September, that even they are surprised, they admitted following the 21-14 21-19 victory. Today’s result comes on the heels of wins in Japan, Korea and Denmark.
* China’s Women Doubles star Tang Jinhua marked another Women’s Doubles triumph with her newest partner, Huang Yaqiong. The pair, who competed together for the first time in Denmark, thwarted their team-mates, Luo Ying and Luo Yu, 21-13 21-16.
“I just try to adapt to my partner’s style of play,” said Tang, asked how she manages to win with so many different partners; Huang being her sixth.
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