Proton Malaysia Open 2010

Date: 24-Jan-2010

KIEN KEAT-BOON HEONG DELIVER GRAND DOUBLE FOR MALAYSIA

KUALA LUMPUR (24 Jan 2010) - Top seeds Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong gave Malaysia a grand double in the Proton Malaysia Open Super Series with a three-set win 21-15, 17-21, 21-16 win over China's Guo Zhendong-Xu Chen in the men's doubles final.

The victory was their second Malaysia Open crown since their last win in 2007.

For Kien Keat, it was his third title following his win in 2006 with Chan Chong Ming.

Kien Keat said: "It is a good start. Hope this will be the start of better things to come as we aim for the All England.

"Winning the Malaysia Open will encourage and give us more confidence for the All England and the Swiss Open.

"The young Chinese players are getting stronger and I expect them to be among the top five pair in the world.

"They gave a tough fight in the Malaysia Open and we expect more from them in the coming tournaments. It is nice to win the title today and it means a lot to us and the Malaysian supporters."

In the semi-finals, the Malaysians beat China's young pair of Chai Biao-Zhang Nan with a hard fought 21-19, 16-21, 21-15 win.

Guo-Xu Chen are ranked world No. 7 and are the second best Chinese pair behind Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng who did not compete in the Malaysia Open.

Cai Yun-Hai Feng finished runners-up in the Korean Open.

Boon Heong, admitted that he had a poor game but fought as ‘it is the last match and the final' which we wanted to win badly.

"My smashes were not effective today," said Boon Heong.

While the players were smiling with their win, coach Rexy Mainaky were in tears.

The Indonesian, who is the national doubles chief coach needed a couple of minutes before he could regain his composure.

With tears in his eyes and voice choking, Rexy said: "Not many know how much Koo and Tan's win means to me.

"It has always been difficult for us to win in this stadium."