Two-time champion Lee Chong Wei fended off a spirited challenge from Boonsak Ponsana to win the men’s singles title at the Chinese-boycotted Japan Open badminton tournament on Sunday.
The Malaysian top seed, the winner in Japan in 2007 and 2010, powered his way through to a 21-18, 21-18 victory over the Thai.
In the women’s singles final, Tai Tzu-ying of Taiwan dashed any hopes of a title for Japan by beating Eriko Hirose 9-21, 21-9, 21-14.
South Korea’s Kim Ki-Jung and Kim Sa-Rang defeated Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong 21-16, 21-19 to win the men’s doubles, while Poon Lok-yan and Tse Ying-suet brought the first Japan title to Hong Kong.
They also dashed local hopes by beating Shizuka Matsuo and Mami Naito 21-17, 22-20.
Earlier in the day, Chan Peng Soon teamed up with Goh Liu Ying to beat Indonesia’s Muhammad Rijal and Liliyana Natsir 21-12, 21-19 in the mixed doubles final.
“It was really a good match, but it was tough,” said Lee, 29.