Malaysian Champions Retain Asian Titles In Taiwan

The men's and women's titles in the Asian Championships will stay in the same Malaysians' hands for the fourth successive time after Ong Beng Hee and Nicol David beat their opponents in straight games in today's finals at the Taipei Arena in Taiwan, Chinese Taipei.

Perhaps influenced by the cold and wet weather, Nicol David surprisingly found herself 0-7 down in the opening game as Hong Kong's Rebecca Chiu, the Asian Games champion, slotted in a series of winners.

"Suddenly I realised that I needed to step forward to take the ball early," said the new world number one later - and that is exactly what she did as David turned the game around.

Thereafter there was no holding back the 22-year-old world champion from Penang who attacked relentlessly, leaving Chiu a mere spectator on several occasions.

David won 9-7 9-3 9-4 in 29 minutes to secure her fifth successive crown since first winning the region's most prestigious event in July 1998 - aged just 14!

The men's final produced a significant upset - but a confidence-boosting victory for title-holder Ong Beng Hee, the second seed, over his domestic rival Mohd Azlan Iskandar, the favourite. Beng Hee, beaten by Iskandar only last week in the final of the KL Open back on home soil, was in superb form at the Taipei Arena - whilst his opponent appeared sluggish.

"Beng Hee's drop shots and finishing volleys were absolutely outstanding, while Azlan's game was laced with numerous unforced errors," said a spokesman for the championships.

Ong Beng Hee's 9-2, 9-4, 10-8 triumph in 35 minutes gives the 26-year-old his fourth title since winning his debut Asian trophy in 2000 in Hong Kong.

Men's final:
[2] Ong Beng Hee (MAS) bt [1] Mohd Azlan Iskandar (MAS) 9-2, 9-4, 10-8 (35m)

Women's final:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [2] Rebecca Chiu (HKG) 9-7, 9-3, 9-4 (29m)