Lin strolls to victory in South Korea
(Reuters)Updated: 2007-01-28 18:39
 China's Lin Dan celebrates his victory over compatriot Chen Jin after their men's singles final match at the Korea Open Badminton in Seoul January 28, 2007. [Reuters]  |
Lin, who made a shock early exit in Malaysia two weeks ago, started slowly in both sets but stormed back with jump smashes and sharp-angled shots that had the crowd roaring its approval.
Claiming the last point to take the title, Lin dropped to the floor with his jersey pulled over his face.
"I really played hard at the Korea Open because I didn't do well in Malaysia," Lin said through an interpreter after the game.
"Besides, the prize money here is bigger," he said with a smile.
Lin had been sent packing early in the Malaysian Open by an unseeded South Korean, leaving the way open for Denmark's veteran Peter Gade-Christensen to take the title.
The Dane withdrew from the Korea Open because of a stomach problem.
"I look forward to a match-up with him," Lin said.
Chinese pair Gao Ling and Zheng Bo edged past Kamilla Rytter Juhl and Thomas Laybourn of Denmark in a closely-fought mixed doubles final 22-20 21-19.
Laybourn was unable to mask his frustration throughout the match as the fiercely competitive Danish pair succumbed to the precision of the Chinese champions, even as the crowd cheered on the underdog.
China's world number two Xie Xingfang breezed past compatriot Zhu Lin to win the women's singles title 21-14 21-7.
In women's doubles, world number one pair Gao Ling and Huang Sui of China came from behind to record a thrilling win against world second-ranked Yang Wei and Zhang Jiewen 12-21 21-14 21-16, making Gao a two-times champion at the Korea Open.
In the all-South Korean men's doubles final, Jung Jae-sung and Lee Yong-dae overcame Lee Jae-jin and Hwang Ji-man 21-16 21-15.
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