LEE ChoLng Wei convincingly beat China's Chen Yu 25-23, 21-11 in the semi-finals at Putra Stadium yesterday to march into his fifth Malaysia Open men's singles final.

However, Wong Mew Choo failed to make it her second successive Malaysia Open final when she fell 21-19, 21-12 to world champion Zhu Lin of China in the women's singles.

Chong Wei, 25, will face unseeded Lee Hyun-Il of South Korea in the final. Hyun-Il, the World No 28, ousted World No 8 Kenneth Jonassen of Denmark 21-15, 21-18 in 31 minutes in the other semi-final yesterday.

Chong Wei, the World No 2, overcame an erratic start to tame Chen Yu in 34 minutes. In the second game, Chong Wei went on the early offensive and took advantage of a fast tiring Chen Yu.

Chong Wei's clash against Hyun-Il today takes on an added significance as the latter's coach is Li Mao, who used to train the Malaysian.

Yesterday, the first game was a blow for blow affair until the score reached 20-20. But Chong Wei's patience paid off in the end.

"I knew I had to remain cautious in working out my strategies as Chen Yu is good with his overhead cross-court smashes," said Chong Wei, who won the Malaysia Open from 2004-2006.

"My strategy was just to deny him the opportunity to attack. He is a one dimensional player who lacks variety and relies too much on his powerful smashes."

On today's final, Chong Wei said: "It was always tough playing against Hyun-Il in the past, and I suppose it would be tougher with Li Mao now as his coach.

"Li Mao knows my weaknesses but I do not want to think about it so much, as my aim is to win the title."

The shuttlers last met in the 2006 Doha Asian Games, where Hyun-Il defeated Chong Wei in the team event. Hyun-Il has a better head-to-head record at 5-4.

Chong Wei's coach Misbun Sidek said: "Both players have different styles of play and the one with better fitness will win.

"Before the tournament, Chong Wei was nervous playing at this stadium after the disappointment of the World Championships. Making the final proves that he has overcome his fear of playing here."

Mew Choo said she used the wrong strategy and was nervous against Zhu Lin.

"I should have taken the first game when I led 17-13 but I let her draw level at 19-19. I could not sustain the pressure from the fans," said Mew Choo, the World No 8.

Unseeded Lars Paaske-Jonas Rasmussen of Denmark will face world champions Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia in the men's doubles final.

Paaske-Rasmussen, the World No 14, upset China's World No 3 Fu Haifeng-Cai Yun 21-16, 19-21, 21-17 in their semi-final. Markis-Hendra beat Candra Wijaya-Tony Gunawan (Indonesia-US) 21-11, 21-17 in the other semi-final.

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MEN - Singles: Lee Hyun Il (Kor) bt Kenneth Jonassen (Den) 21-15, 21-18; Lee Chong Wei (Mas) bt Chen Yu (Chn) 25-23, 21-11.

Doubles: Lars Paaske-Jonas Rasmussen (Den) bt Fu Haifeng-Cai Yun (Chn) 21-16, 19-21, 21-17; Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan (Ina) bt Candra Wijaya (Ina)-Tony Gunawan (USA) 21-11, 21-17.

WOMEN - Singles: Zhu Lin (Chn) bt Wong Mew Choo (Mas) 21-19, 21-12; Tine Rasmussen (Den) bt Pi Hongyan (Fra) 21-12, 21-10.

Doubles: Gao Ling-Zhao Tingting (Chn) bt Du Jing-Yu Yang (Chn) 21-19, 19-21, 21-17; Yang Wei-Zhang Jiewen (Chn) bt Lee Kyung Won-Lee Hyo Jung (Kor) 19-21, 21-12, 21-12.

MIXED DOUBLES: Lee Yong Dae-Lee Hyo Jung (Kor) bt Nathan Robertson-Gail Emms (Eng) 23-21, 16-21, 21-16; He Hanbin-Yu Yang (Chn) bt Sudket Prapakamol-Saralee Thoungthongkam (Tha) 21-23, 21-17, 23-21.

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