# Malaysia ace in line for his 12th Malaysian Open title
# Faces Japan’s Momota in final
Lee Chong Wei is one step away from his 12th Malaysian Open title as he dumped Indonesia’s Tommy Sugiarto in the semi-finals at the Axiata Arena on Saturday.
It was another sparkling show from the former world No 1 as he beat Sugiarto 21-18, 21-16 in 52 minutes – a win that left him all smiles as it was the 17th time the Malaysian won against the Indonesian in as many meetings between the two.
And the right motivation for Chong Wei to face Momota and exact revenge for his 19-21, 14-21 defeat in the semi-finals in this year’s Badminton Asia championships in Wuhan, China in April. Momota went on to win his first Asian title by defeating Chen Long in the final.
For the 24-year-old Momota, he will be chasing another first in Kuala Lumpur – to win his first Malaysian Open title.
“To beat Tommy for the 17th time is itself a motivation for me to go for my 12th Malaysian Open title…but Momota is on a hot-streak, having gone 21 matches without defeat,” said Chong Wei after his match against Sugiarto.
With the home fans throwing their support behind Chong Wei, dubbed Malaysia’s role model in the game, the 35-year-old Malaysian could just about create another first in Malaysian badminton history.
“It will be tough facing Momota who is also on a high but my confidence and my performance is equally high to gun my title No 12,” added Chong Wei.
The win over Sugiarto came in the wake of Chong Wei’s 21-17, 21-9 win over world number one and reigning world champion Viktor Axelsen of Denmark in quarter-finals on Friday.
Momota continued his rampaging form on the badminton circuit when he demolished India’s fourth seed K. Srikanth 21-13, 21-13 in 43 minutes – a performance that showed that he is the man to beat at present.
The headcount between Chong Wei and Momota currently stands at 1-1.
The women’s singles final will be between defending champion and top seed Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei and China’s He Bingjiao.
The semi-finals Tzu Ying ousted India’s third seed P.V. Sindhu 21-15, 19-21, 21-11 in 56 minutes while Bingjiao (seeded eight) upset fourth seed Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand in 17 and 17 in a 50-minute match.
SEMI-FINAL RESULTS
Men’s singles
Lee Chong (Mas) beat Tommy Sugiarto (Ina) 21-18, 21-16
Kento Momota (Jpn) beat K. Srikanth (Ind) 21-13, 21-13
Women’s singles
Tai Tzu Ying (Tpe) beat P.V.Sindhu (Ind) 21-15, 19-21, 21-11
He Bingjiao (Chn) beat Ratchanok Intanon (Tha) 21-17, 21-17
