PETALING JAYA: China’s world No. 7 Li Shifeng ended an eight-month title drought by winning the Malaysian Masters on Sunday (May 24).
In the men’s singles final at the Unifi Arena in Bukit Jalil, Shifeng produced a composed display to beat Thailand’s rising star Panitchapon Teeraratsakul 21-16, 21-17 in 50 minutes.
The victory ended a long wait for Shifeng, whose last title came at the Hong Kong Open in September last year.
The win also saw Shifeng become only the second men’s singles player after Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei to successfully defend the Malaysian Masters title.
Chong Wei achieved the feat by winning four straight editions from 2009 to 2012.
“It had been quite a while since I last won a title, and I had also been dealing with injuries and other physical issues. Confidence has to be built through victories, so winning this title reminds me to keep believing in myself,” said Shifeng.
Earlier in the women’s doubles, China also emerged champions after Chen Fan Shutian-Luo Xumin defeated Japan’s Sayaka Hirota-Ayako Sakuramoto 21-16, 25-23.
China missed out on a third title in the finals when Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon beat top seed Chen Yufei 21-17, 21-15 in the women’s singles.
The victory gave Ratchanok her third Malaysian Masters title after previously winning in 2018 and 2019.
“It feels like a second home, I can say that. The feeling here (Kuala Lumpur) is quite similar to Thailand.
Sometimes when I play at the Thailand Open, I feel a lot of pressure, but here I feel much more relaxed and able to play the way I want to play.
“And I’m also thankful to everyone who was behind me, cheering me on,” said Ratchanok.
Gao Jiaxuan-Wei Yaxin then ensured China’s success in the mixed doubles by beating Thailand’s Pakkapon Teeraratsakul-Sapsiree Taerattanachai 21-13, 15-21, 21-11.
It was also a second straight Malaysian Masters title for Yaxin, who won last year with Jiang Zhenbang.
