Chong Wei on winning path

Chong Wei said winning smaller events is the key to securing a major.

LEE Chong Wei has done what his fierce rival Lin Dan of China has failed to do in the past by reaching the final of all six tournaments he has played in so far, thus giving fresh hope that winning a major isn't far away.

Though winning the Malaysia Open Grand Prix Gold is nothing to shout about, it's the attitude Chong Wei brings into tournaments and the maturity he is showing of late which will help him overcome the big obstacles.

After his win on Sunday, Chong Wei said he has accepted the criticism thrown at him for not winning a major but claims it has helped him cultivate a winning habit.

The World No 1 also said winning smaller events will be the key to securing a major and his objectives of winning the World Championships in London in August and next year's London Olympics gold, begin with these wins.

Chong Wei is no longer the player who wins a title and is then bundled out in the preliminary rounds of a bigger event as the Malaysian is bent on justifying his status as World No 1 by winning as many titles as possible.

So far, he has won five of the six tournaments he has played in this year with the only defeat coming in the Korea Open in January when he lost to Lin Dan.

Chong Wei's consistent run has also boosted his confidence and of late he seems to be taking to court with a clear mind. If he maintains this approach at least until August next year, he can sign off as the world and Olympic champion.

It's no exaggeration to say Chong Wei no longer fears Lin Dan like he once did, so the reigning Olympic champion will not have it his way should the arch rivals meet on the international stage.

Chong Wei has limited the tournaments he will play in the run-up to the World Championships and will only feature in the Sudirman Cup on May 22-29 and the Indonesia Open on June 21-26.

The same should be maintained even after the World Championships as it will be difficult to peak whenever he needs to over the next 15 months.

Men's doubles Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong may have solved a minor riddle by ending a 15-month title drought but winning the Malaysia Open Grand Prix Gold is not the end of their problems.

Kien Keat-Boon Heong were far from solid throughout the tournament and were up against mediocre opposition in the final.

So, there is plenty to do if they hope to remain among the world's top five pairs.

Kien Keat admitted that their attitude may not be right, and that's a step in the right direction.

Mixed doubles Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying have proved they have the potential but still have a long way to go before they can rub shoulders with the world's elite.

Courtesy of New Straits Times