News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Home  » Sports » Lin Dan and China reign supreme

Lin Dan and China reign supreme

January 23, 2006 11:37 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

World number one Lin Dan of China regained his All England badminton title on Sunday with a 15-7, 15-7 victory over South Korean fifth seed Lee Hyun-il.

The result means China equalled their feat of last year when they won four of the five titles on offer at the National Indoor Arena.

Lin, champion in 2004, clinched the crown on his fourth match point and was generally in control despite taking a heavy fall at 10-5 in the second game when play was held up for five minutes as the Chinese received treatment to a knee injury.

He attended a post-match media conference with a large ice-pack on his knee, telling reporters: ''At 14-7 on the match points it hurt quite a bit and I was getting a little worried that I couldn't clinch the match straight away.

"It could have been a problem if it had gone to a third game but I just wanted to try my best to finish it as soon as I could."

Earlier, in an all-Chinese women's final, Xie Xingfang retained her title with an 11-6, 4-11, 11-2 victory over Olympic gold medallist Zhang Ning, who is still seeking her first All England title after 10 years.

China also won the women's doubles title as well as the mixed doubles crown when Olympic champions Zhang Jun and Gao Lin saved five match points to dethrone England's Nathan Robertson and Gail Emms 12-15, 17-14, 15-1.

Hugely disappointed, Robertson said: "We started the third set badly and mentally it's extremely tough to build yourself up again after doing what you consider most of the hard work to get the match points."

Emms quipped: "Keep me away from sharp objects."

The men's doubles title went to Denmark's Jens Eriksen and Martin Lundgaard Hansen who beat Malaysians Choong Tan Fook and Lee Wan Wah 15-6, 14-17, 15-2.

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

India In Australia 2024-2025