KOTA KINABALU, Malaysia, 3 September 2003 — China’s Chen Hong, losing finalist in last weekend’s Indonesian Open, starts as favorite in the men’s singles event at the $120,000 Malaysia Open here today.
Chen went down tamely to Indonesia’s Taufik Hidayat, losing 9-15, 9-15 on Sunday, but this time around the Chinese can expect the challenge to come from hosts Malaysia, led by World Championships runner-up Wong Choong Hann.
Taufik is not taking part and the Indonesians will be banking instead on Rony Agustinus, Budi Santoso and two juniors Taufiq Akbar Hidayat and Sony Dwi Kuncoro. Chen takes on Japan’s Yousuke Nakanishi in the first round, while the 26-year-old Wong, seeded fourth, faces a qualifier in his first match. Wong’s probable opponent in the last 16, provided both beat off their challengers, could be teammate Mohammed Hafiz Hashim. “My aim is to reach at least the semifinals. With Taufik out, there is one fewer hurdle to clear,” Wong said. “But I will not underestimate their juniors. China and Denmark also have strong contenders for the title.”
The unseeded All England champion has a tough first round draw against Hong Kong’s 11th seed Agus Hariyanto. The other Malaysian players in the fray are Lee Tsuen Seng, Lee Chong Wei and Hafiz’s elder brother, Roslin.
The Malaysia Open, the third and last of the three-week tour of South-East Asia, is a lucrative one in terms of both prize money and all-important world ranking points in the World Grand Prix circuit.
China have also world champion Xia Xuanze, and youngsters Bao Chunlai and Lin Dan. Lee Hyun-il is South Korea’s trump card while Denmark have Peter Gade-Christensen, Kenneth Jonassen and former world champion Peter Rasmussen.
