Chen Long wins All-England Open title
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E-mail China.org.cn, March 11, 2013
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Chen Long of China returns a ball to Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei in All England Open final on March 10, 2013. |
China's Chen Long won his first All-England Open title when he beat Malaysia's world number one Lee Chong Wei 21-17, 21-18 in the final on Sunday.
It was a frustrating loss for Chong Wei who was favoured to take home the title in the absence of arch-rival Lin Dan. The 30-year-old started both games strangely slowly, going 0-7 down in the first game and 1-6 down in the second. Hard as he tried both deficits proved a little too much to make up.
Cheng Long, still only 24 and seen as a potential successor to Lin Dan was able to penetrate Chong Wei's strong defence with a range of smashes and drop shots.
"This is very important – a top, world class tournament, and winning it has given me a lot of experience," the 24-year-old said. "I am very excited about that."
His performance suggested that it may not be absolutely necessary for Lin may to come out of semi-retirement and defend the world title in Guangzhou in August for China to win it again.
In the all-Chinese women’s doubles final, world No. 2 Wang Xiaoli and Yu Yang reclaimed the title they last won in 2011, when they defeated compatriots Cheng Shu-Zhao Yun Lei 21-18, 21-10.
And the day just got better for China as their unseeded men’s pair Liu Xiaolong,and Qiu Zihan who came through the qualifying rounds, sent fourth seeds Hiroyuki Endo-Kenichio Hayakawa of Japan packing in straight games 21-11, 21-9.
The Chinese pair also made history for themselves by winning the title in their first ever All-England Open appearance.
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Liu Xiaolong, Qiu Zihan make history by winning the title in their ever All-England Open appearance. |
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