Li Shifeng powers to historic Malaysia Masters crown
World No 4 Li Shifeng wrapped up the match in just 36 minutes. (EPA Images pic)
KUALA LUMPUR : China's Li Shifeng clinched his maiden Malaysia Masters title with a 21-11, 21-9 win over India's K Srikanth in the men's singles final today.
In doing so, the 25-year-old became the first Chinese men's singles shuttler to win the Malaysia Masters since the tournament's inception in 2009, breaking his streak of semi-final exits this season.
Li, the current world No 4, dominated all aspects of the game – from power and net play to precise strokes – leaving no room for Srikanth to make any inroads.
He wrapped up the match in just 36 minutes, completing a flawless run where he didn't drop a single game all week.
'I didn't even realise I'd be the first (Chinese men's singles player). I'd always stopped at the semi-finals in past tournaments (this year), so to finally break through feels like a release – a kind of liberation,' said Li.
'While the results look smooth, none of them were easy. Every men's singles player is strong, and every match needs full preparation. This win is an encouragement, but I know I still have a long way to go before competing consistently at the top.'
In the women's singles final, world No 2 Wang Zhiyi came from behind to defeat compatriot world No 3 Han Yue 13-21, 21-13, 21-18 and successfully defend her title.
It was a tightly contested battle between two evenly matched players with long rallies and momentum swings keeping the crowd engaged throughout.
'I'm very happy. Before the match, I just focused on playing well, but it feels extra special now,' said Wang, who became the first Chinese women's singles player to defend the Malaysia Masters crown.
'Malaysia feels lucky for me – I enjoy the food, the weather, and the atmosphere,' added Wang, who was also a finalist at the Malaysia Open in January.
Witness football history in Malaysia as Manchester United take on the Asean All-Stars – it's the clash you can't afford to miss.
Book your seat now at myticketempire.com/manumy before they're gone!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Zii Jia rejects RTG again but Hannah respects his decision
Happy family: Lee Zii Jia has a full support team comprising a physiotherapist, a strength and conditioning coach, two sparring partners, as well as oversight from coach Yeoh Kay Bin and Team LZJ manager Lee Zii Yii. PUTRAJAYA: National men's singles ace Lee Zii Jia may not be part of the Road to Gold (RTG) programme, but his insights are proving valuable in shaping support mechanisms for other professional athletes. While national athletes remain under the care of their respective sports associations, most professional athletes have to rely on their own funds to cover expenses such as competition fees, training equipment, injury treatment and more. Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, who also chairs the RTG committee, said Zii Jia had offered constructive input on areas such as injury management, tournament exposure and training facilities during their meeting on June 3. Although the Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medallist has once again declined to join the programme, he did so to prioritise his recovery and allow the spot to go to other more eligible athletes. Unlike other professional athletes, Zii Jia has a full support team comprising a physiotherapist, a strength and conditioning coach, two sparring partners, as well as oversight from coach Yeoh Kay Bin and Team LZJ manager Lee Zii Yii. 'I want to thank Zii Jia. Through our discussion, we received a lot of useful input on how to better support professional athletes,' said Hannah after the RTG athletes contract signing ceremony in Putrajaya yesterday. 'He gave thoughtful feedback on the RTG programme, but the final decision rests with the athlete. He chose not to join us, and we fully respect his decision.' Despite his absence from the programme, Hannah reiterated her commitment to working with Zii Jia and any other professional athlete in the pursuit of Olympic glory. 'I want to make it clear that the RTG door remains open. If not this year, then perhaps next year or the year after as long as it's before 2028. If any professional athlete wants to engage with us, we are ready to support them. 'Our goal is aligned with the athletes we want to help them bring home Malaysia's first Olympic gold medal,' she added. The input could prove useful for the four professional shuttlers, specifically men's doubles world No. 1 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and mixed doubles pair Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie. Both pairs have yet to confirm their participation in the RTG programme, although Hannah is confident the matter would be resolved soon. 'They have had two discussions with the RTG coordinator, Datuk Stuart Ramalingam, and still need time to align a few matters. There are some remaining concerns from their side, which Stuart will address as soon as possible,' said Hannah. Currently, 12 athletes have been listed in the new batch of the Road to Gold (RTG) programme, with eight of them coming from badminton. The list is led by Paris Olympic bronze medallists Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, women's doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah, mixed doubles duo Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei, and men's doubles pair Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, who are making their debut in the programme. The remaining athletes include weightlifter Mohd Aniq Kasdan, track cyclists Mohd Shah Firdaus Sahrom and Nurul Izzah Izzati Asri, and squash player S. Sivasangari. Meanwhile, Sivasangari teammates, Ng Eain Yow has been placed on the RTG fast-track list along with three archers, Ariana Nur Dania Zairi, Syaqiera Mashayikh and Nurul Azreena Fazil.
New Straits Times
10 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Tze Yong won't be walking the 'injury road' alone
KUALA LUMPUR: The injured shuttler, Ng Tze Yong won't have to take the long difficult road ahead alone. Singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen said BAM will walk with him every step of the way and provide all the necessary support to ensure the 23-year-old has the best possible chance of returning to the court. Tze Yong is facing a significant period on the sidelines after sustaining a knee injury at the Malaysia Masters last month, which will require surgery. It is another devastating blow to Tze Yong, who has just returned from a 14-month absence due to a back injury that required two operations. Jonassen, who understands the psychological toll of such injuries, said: "We will support him in any way possible. "At the end of the day, it comes down to the athlete. But my message to him is to please always ask for help. When you're there, you're not alone, but sometimes it can feel that way. "Reaching out is not a weakness; we have to remember it's a strength. And for sure, we will be there monitoring all the way, getting in contact." Jonassen acknowledged that while Tze Yong has some experience dealing with injuries, a second major setback presents a different and more challenging mental battle. He outlined a strategy focused on short-term, manageable goals rather than the daunting prospect of a full recovery timeline. "Instead of looking nine or 12 months ahead, which is too far, it has to be step-by-step. You need to have that mindset. 'I will get to this step, then I can achieve one goal,' then for the next one, and the next one," the Dane explained. "Of course, it takes a strong character to want to come back after a second serious injury like this, and I believe he can do it." Jonassen also spoke about his own role in such situations, which he sees as extending far beyond on-court coaching. "I see my role as being a little bit of everything. My main role is not only coaching, but also ensuring that the people around him support his recovery process. "What I can understand is when you, as a player, are injured and out, it's the worst feeling in the world. You feel far from what you want to do. "Then, I need to make sure that we've got good people around him, supporting him, guiding him, and encouraging him to push on."
Malay Mail
12 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Stay hungry for LA28: Rexy tells doubles aces despite recent success
PUTRAJAYA, June 10 — The success garnered by several national doubles players should not make them too comfortable to the point of affecting their performance. That was among the reminders given by the national doubles coaching director, Rexy Mainaky, to his charges given that they still have many tournaments to go and they still have a lot to catch up, besides having to work harder in their efforts to pursue the bigger dream, which is the Los Angeles 2028 (LA28) Olympic Games. 'If we talk about satisfaction, we should appreciate what the players have done with satisfaction. 'But we must remember not to let that satisfaction cause us to be complacent because there are still many tournaments and the Olympics is still far away,' he said when met after the Road To Gold meeting at Menara Kementerian Belia dan Sukan (KBS) here today. Earlier, two men's doubles pairs, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, displayed impressive performances in several recent tournaments they participated in. For Chia and Soh, they managed to win three titles in three months, namely the Asian Badminton Championships in April, the Thailand Open (May) and the Singapore Open earlier this month, while Man and Tee won the Malaysian Masters. In addition, the national women's doubles pair of Pearly Tan-M Thinaah were also no less impressive when they won the Thailand Open. Meanwhile, Rexy also expressed his gratitude to the RTG committee, especially to the Minister of Youth and Sports Hannah Yeoh who started the programme early. 'I think we are the first country to prepare for LA28 by establishing the RTG programme. For me this is a positive development for the RTG athletes,' he said. — Bernama
