Ahmad/Natsir, Kim/Kim Charge to Malaysia Open Title

2016-04-11

Indonesia’s World No.2 mixed doubles team Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir secured their first Superseries title in 12 months after taming the surprise finalists, local favorites Chan Peng Soon and Goh Liu Ying to win the Celcom Axiata Malaysia Open 2016.
 
Chan Peng Soon, Goh Liu Ying, Liliyana Natsir
It was an all-VICTOR player mixed doubles final with Ahmad/Natsir defeating Chan/Goh in Shah Alam. Credit: Badmintonphoto
 
This also means a three-year wait finally ended for former world no.3 team Chan and Goh as they returned to a Superseries final for the first time since the 2013 Malaysia Open. Goh underwent knee surgery in 2014.
 
Ahmad and Natsir, who are the reigning Asian Champions in Wuhan, haven’t been quite able to reproduce a stellar year as in 2013 when they swept away four Superseries titles and a BWF World Championships trophy, but have remained a realistic contender in every major tournament and stay as high as no.2. This week in Shah Alam, they only lost one game (to Chan/Goh) in five matches to emerge as the winners.
 
Tontowi Ahmad, Liliyana Natsir
Ahmad and Natsir return to winning ways. Credit: Badmintonphoto
 
Tontowi Ahmad, Liliyana Natsir
Ahmad and Natsir lost only one game en route to Malaysia Open victory. Credit: Badmintonphoto
 
Tontowi Ahmad, Liliyana Natsir
Chan/Goh would be cracking back into top-10 with a silver medal at the home major. Credit: Badmintonphoto
 
Another Team VICTOR pairing in  Kim Gi Jung and Kim Sa Rang became #TheRealDeal yet again after winning last year in Fuzhou’s China Open. In both Superseries Premier finals, China’s Chai/Hong fell victims to the Korean no.2 team.
 
Kim Gi Jung, Kim Sa Rang
Kim Gi Jung and Kim Sa Rang took down compatriots and world no.1 Lee Yong Dae/Yoo Yeon Seong in the semifinals. Credit: Badmintonphoto
 
Kim Gi Jung, Kim Sa Rang
Kim Gi Jung and Kim Sa Rang became #TheRealDeal the second time in Shah Alam after winning the China Open in Fuzhou last year. Credit: Badmintonphoto

Shin Seung Chan, Jung Kyung Eun
Korean Shin and Jung made another Superseries Premier final showing. Credit: Badmintonphoto
 
Tai Tzu Ying, Olympic Games
Taiwan's Tai Tzu Ying won the silver medal in Malaysia Open 2016. Credit: Badmintonphoto
 
Kim Gi Jung, Kim Sa Rang, China Open
Kim Gi Jung and Kim Sa Rang captured Fuzhou title last FallCredit: Badmintonphoto
 
Malaysia Open badminton, VICTOR Professional Stringing
VICTOR Professional Stringing team offers official on-site stringing service for the world-class players at Celcom Axiata Malaysia Open 2016. Credit: Badmintonphoto
 
Malaysia Open badminton, VICTOR Professional Stringing
VICTOR is proud to be the official equipment sponsor for the Celcom Axiata Malaysia Open 2016. Credit: Badmintonphoto
 
VICTOR BAM, badminton malaysia
 
 
( Edit by VICTOR Badminton )