Congrats Lee Chong Wei.

LEE Chong Wei stormed to the Malaysia Open singles title yesterday at Putra Stadium to make amends for his failure at last year's World Championships.

Chong Wei, slammed for his lost to Indonesia's Sony Dwi Kuncoro in the third round of the World Championships, this time played it smart against South Korean's Lee Hyun-Il to win 21-15, 11-21, 21-17.

"The World Championships defeat was a blessing in disguise as I started winning again after that. Also, I am happy that the Putra Stadium jinx has come to an end," said an elated and relieved Chong Wei after the match.

With yesterday's win, Chong Wei continues his affair with the Malaysia Open. He reached the final for the first time in 2003, then completed a hat-trick of titles between 2004 and 2006, and yesterday clinched his fourth in the presence of deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.

A relaxed Chong Wei was never in trouble as he led all the way to seal the first game 21-15.

As is often the case, Hyun-Il began his customary fightback and an over-excited opponent helped his cause.

The Korean crept to a 8-4 lead and Chong Wei was forced to play catch-up but Hyun-Il, showing a variety of strokes, raced on to a 21-11 win to set up a cracking decider. Chong Wei, realising that patience was the only way to subdue his opponent, engaged the Korean in long rallies and it paid off as he went into full flow to win 21-17.

"I never really expected to win after playing with a fever from the first day but it is good to win the Malaysia Open for a fourth time," said Chong Wei.

Hyun-Il said unforced errors in the third game had cost him dearly.

"If I had cut down on those mistakes, I could have won," said Hyun-Il.

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