BWF World Super Series Masters 2009-Finals
The Yonex Sunrise BWF World Super Series Masters 2009 finals came to a close on Sunday held in Johore Bahru, Malaysia. Host country Malaysia grabbed the lion’s share of the titles at stake. They swept 3 titles out of 5, leaving one each to Korea and Denmark in the men’s doubles and mixed doubles respectively.
Lee Chong Wei was the star performer with the loudest cheer from the home crowd. It was an intense game from the very beginning of the first set with both players carefully crafted their strokes in the point for point match. The game moved up to 15 all leveling the score. But from then on Lee scored successively to take the first game at 21-17. In the second game Lee started off with much confidence and was more aggressive with his attacks. He pumped up the game with many points in succession leading 12-3 in fast pace. Park simply had no answer and looked stunned. However Lee soon became over anxious and made a lot of unforced errors in sending the shuttle out of court thereby earning points for Park without effort. The score advanced to 20-16 and closing the gap for Park. But alas it was too late for Park and Lee sealed the game with the final 21-17 in the second set.
Lee having won 6 titles as well as the Masters was richer by US$40,000. Park with the runner-up title took home US$20,000. With many titles under his collar Lee Chong Wei has yet to capture both the World Championship as well as the Olympic titles.
Malaysian Wong Mew Choo displayed splendid form in the final against Juliane Schenk. Both started off very confidently with very close score leveling on few occasions. Wong Mew Choo had a shaky start but managed to calm herself in the later half. She put pressure on the German who committed a series of mistakes. Eventually Wong led the game and took the first set at 21-15. The second set was disrupted when Juliane was seemed to have breathing problems. Wong was leading 8-1 and after a brief stoppage Juliane decided to carry on with the game. Juliane’s game from then on seemed below par. Wong Mew Choo finished the game with 21-7 win. She won US$40,000, her biggest paycheck so far. Juliane took home US$20,000 which was worth her effort.
The men’s doubles was played between the Koreans and the Danes. Korean pair Jung Jae Sung/Lee Yong Dae took on their nemesis Danish pair Carsten Mogensen/Mathias Boe. The Koreans were all out to atone for their lost last year to Carsten/Mathias. They succeeded this time with a straight sets win of 21-15, 21-15. It was a fast and furious game in both sets with amazing speed and power. It was a delight to watch! The winners were richer by US$42,000 and runner-up by US$20,000.
The top Malaysian women’s doubles pair Chin Eei Hui/Wong Pei Tty maintained their top position defeating the Danish pair Kamilla Rytter Juhl/Lena Frier Kristiansen. The Malaysians proved their worth defeating the Danes 21-17, 21-13. The prize money was the same as the men’s winners.
The mixed doubles title went to the Danes who defeated the Indian players. Joachim Fischer Nielson/Christinna Pedersen scored a major victory for Denmark in taking the title. Their win of 21-14, 21-18 over V.Diju/Gutta Jwala was enriching taking their biggest purse-US$42,000. It was indeed a very happy and rewarding ending for them-both the title and the money!
What a great Masters finals it was.
Tags: BWF, Super Series 2009 Finals, Yonex Sunrise Super Series Finals
