LEE Chong Wei will make a return to the circuit at the India Open Super Series in New Delhi on April 26- May 1.

Chong Wei, the top seed, should have an easy ride in the absence of China's shuttlers to secure his ninth title since last June.

The World No 1, recent winner of the All England men's singles title, is determined to continue with his winning run in India to boost his confidence in the bid to win the men's singles title at the London World Championships in August.

Chong Wei's main rivals in the India Open are expected to be Indonesia's World No 3 Taufik Hidayat, Simon Santoso, Sony Dwi Kuncoro and Japan's Kenichi Tago.

There is also a possibility that Misbun Sidek will return to guide Chong Wei before the start of the tournament.

The BA of Malaysia will make it known on Friday whether Misbun, who resigned on Dec 31, will accept its offer to coach the national elite squad again.

Misbun's return will definitely give Chong Wei added motivation in upcoming tournaments, especially in the World Championships.

Meanwhile, Hafiz Hashim, now an independent shuttler, is desperate to gain ranking points to qualify for the World Championships.

The former All England champion will have a chance to do so in the New Zealand Open, which starts today, and the Australian Open, scheduled for April 5-10, in Melbourne.

Hafiz, who has not won a title since the 2006 Philippines Open, is determined to give a good account of himself after an embarrassing loss to unknown Spaniard Pablo Abian in the last-16 of the recent Swiss Open.

"The Swiss Open could have been a turning point for my career. Fever slowed me down when I played Abian. I want to redeem my pride in both tournaments," said Hafiz yesterday.

"On paper, I should be able to do well in the New Zealand Open. My target in Auckland is to at least reach the final. It is slightly tough in the Australian Open as many top shuttlers have also registered for the event."

The World No 33 is the third highest ranked Malaysian in the BWF men's singles rankings, but needs to be among the 24 highest ranked players in the world to secure a guaranteed spot in the World Championships.

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SI Yew Ming maintained his supremacy on the National Circuit by winning the men's singles and doubles titles in the second leg at the National Tennis Centre in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Yew Ming nailed the singles title by battling past Ahmad Deedat Abd Razak 7-6 (11-9), 7-6 (7-2) to remain undefeated in the local scene this year.

In the doubles, Yew Ming and former national player Ashaari Zainal teamed up to beat Ariez Elyaas Deen Heshaam-Ahmad Deedat 6-3, 6-4.

It was a gallant effort by Ariez and Ahmad Deedat, who were unseeded, in the tournament.

Ahmad Deedat's fine run in the second leg will definitely boost his confidence for future events. The youngster will lead the national junior Davis Cup team in next month's Asia/Oceania Qualifiers in New Delhi.

Jawairiah Noordin's unbeaten run in local tournaments, however, came to an end in the women's singles final.

Jawairiah, the top seed, was trailing 5-6 in the first set against Choo Lyn Yuen when she was forced to retire fearing, an injury.

"I felt a twitch in my knee and opted to retire," said Jawairiah.

However, Jawairiah won the doubles title with Ti Jia Wei. The pair eased past Lyn Yuen-R. Archnaah 6-2, 6-2.

RESULTS (All Finals) -- Men's singles (Tier 1): Si Yew Meng bt Ahmad Deedat Abd Razak 7-6 (11- 9), 7-6 (7-2).

Tier 2: Syed Ariffin bt Low Kar Win 6-1, 6-2.

Doubles (Tier 1): Si Yew Meng-Ashaari Zainal bt Ariez Elyaas Deen Heshaam-Ahmad Deedat Abd Razak 6-3, 6-4.

Tier 2: Kevin Loke-Tobias Geigle bt Pearljit Singh- Duzbionjit Singh 4-6, 6-0, 10-7.

Women's singles (Tier 1): Choo Lyn Yuen bt Jawairiah Noordin 6-5 (rtd).

Tier 2: Nur Eliza Khairul bt Amanina Tajuddin 6-2, 6- 2.

Doubles (Tier 1): Jawairiah Noordin-Ti Jia Wei bt Choo Lyn Yuen-R. Archnaah 6-2, 6-2.

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