Lin Dan crowned as China makes sweep at HK Open

Updated: 2011-11-21 15:36

(Xinhua)

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Lin Dan crowned as China makes sweep at HK Open

China's grand slam winner Lin Dan is awarded the trophy after winning the men's singles final at the Hong Kong Badminton Open in Hong Kong, Nov 20, 2011. [Photo/Xinhua]

HONG KONG - The badminton powerhouse China made a clean sweep of the gold medals at the Hong Kong Open on Sunday as Wang Xin became the first female player to win three consecutive singles titles in the BWF (World Badminton Federation) Super Series.

Wang, the world No 3, defeat Denmark's Tine Baun in the finals at 21-17, 21-14 in 30 minutes, adding to her back-to-back wins at the Denmark and French Opens in a month.

It was also her fourth super series title of the season, one ahead of her teammates Wang Shixian and Wang Yihan, the current world No 1 and No 2.

"I surely gained more confidence from winning the recent tournaments," Wang told reporters after the match. "I wasn't doing well in a previous period, and these wins proved that I did have some improvements from the trainings."

Wang added that there are still shortcomings to work on as it is not easy for her to play against those tall players with powerful shots such as Baun.

However, for the 32-year-old Baun, Wang was kind of "nightmare". Suffering an 8-0 record against Wang before Sunday's meet, Baun managed to push her opponent really hard in most of the first set before Wang won four consecutive points to end the first set.

"Her smashes are really powerful, so actually it's always not easy to win," said Wang. "I told myself not to think about the previous record and made every game as the first time."

She anyway admitted that her style was just uncomfortable for Baun and there might be also some mental advantage for her.

In the men's singles final, the "grand slam" winner Lin Dan outplayed his teammate Chen Jin in straight sets to take his second super series title this year, after his win at the Korean Open in January.

The 21-12, 21-19 victory will also likely to help the world champion overtake compatriot Chen Long as the world No 2 in the rankings.

Joining them were the men's doubles world No 1 Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng. The four-time world champions ended a run of three consecutive defeats to long-time arch rivals Jung Jae Sung/Lee Yong Dae with a fierce three-set battle in one hour and 10 minutes.

Losing the first set 21-14, the Chinese duo managed to comeback and edge out the South Koreans at 24-22, 21-19.

Zhang Nan/Zhao Yunlei, the newly crowned mixed doubles world champion, also ended their losing streak to Denmark's Joachim Fischer Nielsen/Christinna Pedersen.

Trailing 21-15, 13-7, the current world No 1 made an amazing comeback to win the second and third set 21-17, 21-17. It was their first victory out of five meets with the Danes.

In the women's doubles final, Wang Xiaoli/Yu Yang clinched their sixth super series title this year after an injury forced their teammates Tian Qing/Zhao Yunlei to retire while trailing 21-12, 14-2.

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