China's top singles players Chen Long and Li Xuerui swept to victory yesterday for a second year at the China Open in Shanghai, with women's pairs Wang Xiaoli and Yu Yang winning their third straight title.

Second-seeded Chen overcame a tough challenge from Wang Zhengming 19-21, 21-8, 21-14 to win his third China Open men's title in four years. It is his third Super Series victory of the year.

"The next goal is to have a good performance at the world championships," Chen said. "I want to do well at the Super Series tournaments but for me the big events are more important."

World's No. 1 women's singles player Li also claimed a second straight China Open championship, winning five of the last six points to defeat compatriot Wang Shixian 16-21, 21-17, 21-19.

Li overcame a 6-12 deficit in the third game to win the title.

"During the past month I haven't trained very well. For the China Open, I basically played with my teammates and Wang played quite well especially after winning the French Open, so I just wanted to catch up with her," Li said.

The tournament marks a return to title form for Li, who had disappointing finishes at the China Masters and French Open before succumbing to injury.

"It's three years until the next Olympics and there will be many younger players coming to intensify the challenge," the 22-year old said. "It is my duty to protect myself by reducing the risk of injury and training harder."

Top-seeded women's doubles team of Wang and Yu rolled over eighth-seeded compatriots Bao Yixin and Zhong Qianxin 21-13, 21-7 to claim their third straight China Open title.

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