Bao misses Malaysian Open title
(Reuters)Updated: 2007-01-22 08:54
KUALA LUMPUR - Denmark's Peter Gade-Christensen survived a mid-match lapse to defeat China's Bao Chunlai 21-15 17-21 21-14 in the final to win the men's singles title at the Malaysian Open on Sunday.
 Denmark's Peter Gade- Christensen (R) and China's Bao Chunlai pose on the podium after their men's singles final game at the Badminton Malaysian Open January 21, 2006. Gade won 21-15, 17-21 and 21-14. [Xinhua] |
The veteran world number five threw his racket into the crowd in celebration at the climax of an amazing nine days that started with him being rushed to hospital after he suffered headaches and vomiting on his flight from Europe.
"To win here under the difficult circumstances is just incredible," Gade-Christensen told reporters.
"It's a very special feeling to win the first Super Series tournament, here in Kuala Lumpur, and it's something I will always remember.
"Before I came here, I was in my best form ever but then I got sick and it was up in the air. But with the support of my coach and physio, I was able to play.
"I got better and better as the tournament went on and to beat Bao in a tough final is very special."
Gade-Christensen earned $16,000 for his victory while Bao took home $6,400.
The Malaysian Open is the first leg of a 12-tournament Super Series tour which Badminton World Federation officials hope will boost the sport's appeal.
After easily winning the first set, third-fourth seed Gade-Christensen loosened his grip on the match, allowing Bao to win points at will as the Chinese player levelled the scores.
Bao rode the momentum into the third set, racing to a 6-2 lead, but the Dane showed great character to fight back to 6-6 before building a decisive 16-10 advantage.
In the women's singles final, fifth-eighth seed Zhu Lin of China was too strong for local hope Wong Mew Choo, winning 21-15 21-12.
There was further glory for China in the doubles events.
In the mixed doubles final, Gao Ling and Zheng Bo beat England's Gail Emms and Nathan Robertson 21-12 14-21 21-15.
Gao then teamed up with Huang Sui to win the women's doubles with a 19-21 21-12 21-11 victory over Indonesians Gresya Polii and Vita Marissa.
Malaysian men's doubles pairing of Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong delighted the home fans in the capacity 3,000 crowd after they won the title with a 21-19 21-16 win in the final over the American-Indonesian duo of Tony Gunaway and Candra Wijaya.
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