Lin Dan wins men's singles as hosts achieve clean sweep
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-09-04 21:48

BEIJING, September 4 (Xinhua) -- World number one Lin Dan defeated Bao Chunlai 15-6, 15-13 in an all-Chinese men's singles final while hosts wrapped up all the five titles at the conclusion of the inaugural 250,000 US dollars badminton China Masters on Sunday.

The title comes as a consolation for the 21-year-old after the recently concluded Anaheim world championships, where he was bidding for his first world title but surprisingly routed by Indonesian Olympic Champion Taufik Hidayat in the final.

While Lin was never really threatened in the first game, the two presented a breath-taking second, where Lin had to overcome a 4-2 deficit before overpowering his third-seeded opponent.

"Only victory could prove my world number one ranking. The final was tough but I won," the top seed said a simple word at the press conference.

He has topped the IBF rankings since March 2004 but always lacked a bit of luck in major events. Last year in Athens Games, he was shockingly eliminated in the first round.

Lin was so excited after Sunday's win that he went down to his knees before shaking hands with Bao.

Bao, 22, blamed his failure on a key mistake when he led 13-12 in the second set but served too straight, which gave Lin the chance to smash.

"I tried my best but it seemed that I could only beat him with super good performance," he said.

The two have met three time this year with Lin winning all.

Earlier in women's singles final, Olympic champion Zhang Ning of China battled three sets to beat teammate Zhou Mi 11-3, 5-11, 11-3.

Zhang is seeking return to the world number one ranking which she surrendered to compatriot Xie Xingfang after losing the final in Anaheim.

The 30-year-old won all the last four meetings against Zhou including the Olympic semifinal although she trails 5-11 on the full records.

"I never thought of my age on court. I still feel full of energy. But today I was really tired," Zhang said.

The ever-green veteran is looking forward to more glory in her career.

"I don't know whether I can make the Beijing Olympic Games but the idea of retiring has yet to come to my mind." She said.

Fifth-seeded Zhou, eager for a win to overcome a disappointing world championships, was already satisfied with the result that she could reach the final.

"The first-round knockout in the championships was a blow. I have regained confidence from what I did in this tournament and I will continue," the Olympic bronze medallist said.

She had ousted newly-crowned world champion Xie Xingfang in straight sets to reach the final.

The mixed doubles crown went to Olympic champions Zhang Jun/Gao Ling, who outperformed Hendry Kurniawan Saputra/Li Yujia of Singapore 15-7, 15-13.

Chinese youngsters Du Jing/Yu Yang caused the biggest upset with a thrilling 15-4, 17-14 victory over Gao Ling/Huang Sui, double world champions in 2001 and 2003.

Newly-paired Guo Zhendong/Xie Zhongbo of China struck an unexpected gold in men's doubles to complete hosts' sweep.

Spurred by a raucous home crowd, the unseeded duo put up a spirited fight and toppled Malaysian veterans Choong Tan-Fook/Lee Wan-Wah 15-10, 15-4 in the final.

It's the young pair's first title ever since they were partnered merely last year.

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