LATEST NEWS

Hyun Il’s final fling
10 Jan 2012

Lee Hyun Il hopes to end his final appearance at the Maybank Malaysia Open presented by Proton by finally capturing the title.

The 2008 Malaysia Open runner-up, however, knows that is easier said than done, but promised to go all out in what will be his final appearance in Kuala Lumpur.

The South Korean, who lost the 2008 final 15-21, 21-17, 21-17 to Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei, confirmed his decision to retire for a second time after the London Olympic later this year.

The 2002 Asian Games silver medallist Hyun Il had quit the sport after the 2008 Beijing Olympics, but was talked back into returning to help his nation at the 2010 Thomas Cup.

There has been no looking back since, but he vowed to close the final chapter of his career which started 14 years ago in 1998, after the London Games.

He will play Hans-Kristian Vittinghus in the opening round on Wednesday and if he defeats the young Dane, he will then likely meet world No. 3 Chen Long in the second round.

“Chen Long is a young player with lots of energy and stamina. I, however, have plenty of experience and it is not impossible to beat him,” said Hyun Il, who upset the Chinese star at the Singapore Open five months ago to claim his first victory in four meetings.

The other players in his half of the draw are Sho Sasaki and Chong Wei.

BACK TO LATEST NEWS