Lin beats Lee for 1st Malaysia Open title
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, April 10, 2017
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China's Lin Dan (R) and Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia pose for photos after the men's singles final at the Malaysia Open Badminton Tournament in Kuching, Malaysia, April 9, 2017. Lin beat Lee 2-0 and claim the title. (Xinhua/Chong Voon Chung) |
Lin Dan, a two-time Olympic champion, yesterday engineered a brilliantly ruthless strategy against arch-rival and world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei to win his first ever Malaysia Open title.
Showing no sign of fatigue, 33-year-old Lin pushed Lee, one year his senior, from back to front, forcing the recent All England Open winner into unforced errors to bag a 21-19, 21-14 win in 55 minutes.
The two veterans began cautiously, and Lee, the home favorite, began securing points with his killer cross-court smashes.
But China's Lin kept his calm, resorting to long rallies, swift returns and precision net play to defeat Lee.
With the victory in Kuching, capital of Sarawak state on Borneo island, Lin has now won every major title the sport has to offer.
"My main target was to break my jinx at this Malaysian Open. We both played well and showed a high level of badminton. Me and Lee are both aging, and so I cherish every moment we play each other in a big tournament," he said.
Boosting the morale
Although partisan, the crowd cheered both icons, boosting the morale of the shuttlers who demonstrated agility and power play and reminded critics that they are not yet ready to retire.
The Chinese star has never been able to win in Malaysia. Lin reached the final three times but was defeated by Lee in 2005 and 2006 and by Chen Long in 2015.
In 2006, Lin was one point away from the title as he led 20-13 in the deciding game, but Lee staged a phenomenal comeback to win 23-21 at the same venue.
Although he went down in straight games this time, Lee vowed to return stronger.
"It wasn't my best performance today. I lost some confidence after losing the first game, but overall I am satisfied with my overall performance to have made the final," he said.
Chinese Taipei's Tai Tzu Ying won the women's title.
The world No. 1 was, however, made to work hard for her win, defeating Spain's Carolina Marin 23-25, 22-20, 21-13 in a 85-minute triumph.
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