China’s men’s singles ace Li Shifeng etched his name into an exclusive tournament history book on Sunday, becoming the first men’s singles player since Malaysian legend Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei to successfully defend the Malaysia Masters crown.
The world No. 7 produced a commanding performance to down Thailand’s world No. 28 Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul 21-16, 21-17 in a highly competitive final at the Unifi Arena in Bukit Jalil.
The victory marks Shifeng’s first Super Series/World Tour championship of the year, retaining the very title he claimed last year against India’s K. Srikanth.
With this triumph, the 26-year-old follows directly in the footsteps of Chong Wei, who remains the tournament’s most decorated icon with five titles, including four consecutive titles from 2009 to 2012.
Facing the 21-year-old Panitchaphon for the first time, Shifeng had to withstand immense physical pressure from the young Thai challenger, who was hunting for his maiden World Tour title after also falling short in the finals of the Indonesia Masters and Thailand Open earlier this season. Shifeng admitted the straight-games scoreline belied the actual intensity on court.
“I think both sides performed quite normally today,” Shifeng told reporters post-match. “It was also my first time playing against Panitchaphon, and I think he is very powerful. During the match, he also put a lot of threat and pressure on me.”
The victory serves as a massive emotional and physical release for Shifeng. Since lifting the trophy in Kuala Lumpur last year, he had only managed to add the Hong Kong Open to his cabinet, battling a series of nagging injuries that severely dented his confidence.
“It’s been a while since I won a championship,” Shifeng confessed candidly. “I had some injuries and various physical issues before, and confidence still needs to be built through winning matches. So winning this championship is a way to affirm myself.”
With his confidence restored and his crown secured, Shifeng will head immediately to the Singapore Open, which gets underway on Tuesday.
“I never thought I’d enjoy training this much until joining Sportif. The coaches are supportive and really know how to bring out the best in you.”