KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — It was an outstanding showing for #TeamYonex at this year’s Malaysia Masters, as they performed a clean sweep of all five categories, taking home gold in each, as well as three silvers.
Son Wan Ho (KOR), whose national team signed with Yonex on the first of this month, carried the momentum of a strong finish to the 2018 season to claim his first title of 2019. Ho defeated World No. 4 Chen Long (CHN) in straight sets, 21-17, 21-19.
In women’s singles, Ratchanok Intanon (THA) defended her win at last year’s Malaysian Masters against world champion Carolina Marin (ESP). After Intanon breezed through the first set, Marin fought her way back in the second and very nearly forced a third game, but the Thai superstar was in top form and wouldn’t be denied, winning 21-9, 22-20.
High-flying men’s doubles pair Kevin S. Sukamuljo and Marcus F. Gideon (INA) didn't show any signs of slowing after their red hot 2018 season. The World No. 1s rolled past Malysia’s Ong Yew Sin and Teo Ee Yi, 21-15, 21-16.
Meanwhile, Yuki Fukushima and Sayaka Hirota (JPN), who also enjoyed an outstanding 2018 season and sit atop the women’s doubles world rankings, proved too much to handle for Indonesia’s Greysia Polii and Apriyani Rahayu. Though they showed a rare moment of vulnerability and dropped the first game, the Japanese pair returned to form in the second and sealed the victory 18-21, 21-16, 21-16.
Japan had another victory in mixed doubles from Yuta Watanabe and Arisa Higashino. They came from behind in two straight games to beat Thailand’s Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai, 21-18, 21-18.
Full match results
Son Wan Ho: VOLTRIC GLANZ, BG80, POWER CUSHION AERUS 3
Ratchanok Intanon: ASTROX 77, BG65 TITANIUM, POWER CUSHION AEURUS 3 LADIES
Kevin S. Sukamuljo: ASTROX 88 S, AEROBITE BOOST, POWER CUSHION AERUS 3
Marcus F. Gideon: ASTROX 88 D, BG65 TITANIUM, POWER CUSHION AERUS 3
Yuta Watanabe: DUORA Z-STRIKE, BG66 ULTIMAX, POWER CUSHION 65 Z
Arisa Higashino: VOLTRIC FB, BG66 ULTIMAX