Kien Keat, Boon Heong end long streak of failures in Malaysia Open GP Gold 2012
Malaysia Open Grand Prix Gold really has some mystic effect on prime Men’s Doubles team Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong of Malaysia as they finally wiped out the stain of failures by winning this home event.
World Number eight duo had been struggling for last twelve months to regain their position in the arena as their last international title was also Malaysia Open last year.
The twosome of Kien Keat and Boon Heong gave a strong statement about their class by defending their honour.
Though, they did not face any trouble as none of the top Men’s Doubles teams of world participated in this tournament but still this win is a real boost for much criticised duo.
Kien Keat-Boon Heong started the ball rolling by overpowering an unknown Indian couple Sanjeeth S-Jagadish Yadav in opening match.
The Indians were no comparison to their brilliance and surrendered in just two games after reading 21-7 and 21-5 score on the board.
Their next challengers were Zhao Jiang Terry Yeo-Liu Yi of Singapore who did not create any trouble for top ranked duo of the event and crashed out of second round.
The Malaysians registered favourable margin of 21-12 and 21-13 and setup a quarter-final clash with Dae Eun Kim-Sang Joon Lee of Korea.
In quarter-final round, the partnership of Kien Keat-Boon Heong continued their successful run and cleared one more hurdle in their way to glory.
Though, they took a slow start in the game which allowed their opponents to put decent total of 14 points in first set but they finished second game at rapid pace and sealed a straight set victory with impressive total of 21-14 and 21-12.
This win took them into second last round of the event where they were scheduled to meet compatriot duo Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif-Mohd Fairuzizuan.
In the semi-final tussle, Kien Keat-Boon Heong looked off colour as they took three sets to beat lower ranked rivals.
The opposing Malaysian duo Zakry-Fairuzizuan put them under huge pressure by winning first set with 21-17 but the seasoned campaigners stormed back in following games.
They wrapped the show by entering final figures of 21-16 and 21-13 in the score log.
Final day of the event saw them swinging arms against talented but inexperienced compatriots Kah Ming Chooi and Yao Han Ow.
Kien Keat-Boon Heong utilised all the experience and proved themselves technically and tactically superior to their opponents. They raised their hands as Champions by putting concluding figures of 21-15 and 21-19 after two games.
The Malaysians successfully got back on track but still they have long way to cover. Their next challenges will be Thomas Cup Finals and London Olympics where they will have to put extra effort against top pairs of the world to reinstate their status in
the arena.
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