PETALING JAYA: Lee Chong Wei lifted the Hong Kong Open title in style after beating China’s Tian Houwei 21-16, 21-15 on Sunday.
It was Chong Wei’s third successive title this year after winning the French and China Open recently.
Chong Wei will play in the Macau Open next which starts Tuesday.
It has been rich pickings for shuttler Lee Chong Wei.
The 33-year-old Malaysian clinched his third straight Superseries title at the Hong Kong Open on Sunday. He overcame China’s Tian Houwei 21-16, 21-15 at the Hong Kong Coliseum to pick up US$26,250 (RM112,350).
Earlier, he collected US$20,625 (RM88,275) for winning the French Open in October. At last week’s China Open, he took home US$52,500 (RM224,700). All in, he won RM425,325.
But Sunday’s win didn’t come easy for world No. 6 Chong Wei with the 23-year-old Houwei, the world No. 10, pushing him hard for every point.
It was close in the first game but Chong Wei, who missed half of the season due to a doping suspension, pulled ahead from 13-11 before winning 21-16.
Both shuttlers exchanged leads in the second game but it was Chong Wei’s experience that mattered in the end.
He caught up with Houwei at 15-all before scoring six straights points to seal the win.
Chong Wei gave a wide smile and celebrated with his trademark double-fist pump after the 49-minute win.
“It was not an easy match at all for Chong Wei. We could all see that his movements were slower,” said national coach Tey Seu Bock.
“He was definitely tired, especially after also playing in last week’s China Open.
“But this is one of Chong Wei’s biggest strengths, hanging on and winning back-to-back titles,” added Seu Bock.
Chong Wei, who is now expected to climb into the world’s top four, has one more tournament left on the world Tour. He will be playing in the Macau Open which starts on Tuesday.
In the women’s singles, world No. 1 Carolina Marin of Spain fended off a late fightback from Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara to win 21-17, 18-21, 22-20 in a titanic 84-minute tussle.
China’s Zhao Yunlei was the biggest winner of the day.
She first partnered Zhang Nan to beat compatriots Liu Cheng-Bao Yixin 21-17, 17-21, 21-17 in the mixed doubles final before pairing up with Tian Qing to whip Tang Yuanting-Yu Yang 21-15, 21-12 for the women’s doubles title.
