China’s Li Shi Feng successfully defended his Malaysia Masters title after defeating Thailand’s Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul in the men’s singles final on Sunday.
Playing at Axiata Arena, the tournament’s fifth seed lived up to expectations with a straight-sets victory, beating the Thai shuttler 21-16, 21-17 in just 50 minutes.
The triumph places Li Shi Feng in an exclusive club, making him only the second men’s singles player after Malaysian badminton legend Lee Chong Wei to successfully defend the Malaysia Masters title. Lee famously won the tournament consecutively from 2009 to 2012 when it was still recognised as a Grand Prix Gold event.
Speaking after the match, Li admitted the victory carried huge meaning for him following a difficult period plagued by injuries and physical setbacks.
“This is a huge motivation for me heading into upcoming tournaments because it has been quite some time since I last won a title,” he said.
“I’ve gone through injuries and several physical problems, so this victory is proof to myself that I can still compete at the highest level again.”
Meanwhile, it was heartbreak for fellow Chinese player Chen Yufei in the women’s singles final after she fell to Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon 17-21, 15-21 in a 51-minute battle.
World number seven Ratchanok was thrilled to capture her third Malaysia Masters title, describing her decision to compete in the tournament as the right move.
China’s dominance continued in the women’s doubles event as Chen Fan Shu Tian and Luo Xu Min defeated Japan’s Sayaka Hirota and Ayako Sakuramoto 21-16, 25-23 to lift the title.
The Chinese contingent also emerged victorious in the mixed doubles through Gao Jia Xuan and Wei Ya Xin, who overcame Thailand’s Pakkapon Teeraratsakul and Sapsiree Taerattanachai 21-13, 15-21, 21-11 in a thrilling 58-minute final.
