Different strokes for badminton's love birds in 2009
"Super Dan" spearheaded a triumphant Chinese team on the international badminton stage last year although his girlfriend, Xie Xingfang, a former world No 1, called it quits.
As was widely predicted, China wrapped up the Sudirman Cup world team badminton championships in Guangzhou in May by beating South Korea 3-0 in the final. It was the team's third straight lien on the prestigious trophy and seventh in total.
Three months later, China won four of the five gold medals up for grabs, plus three silver and three bronze, at the World Championships in Hyderabad, India. It equaled the team's second best achievement at the Worlds. China also became the first country in 71 years to sweep all five titles at the All-England Open Badminton Championships.
