Exclusive coverage from BadmintonPlanet.com: China shows its dominance in China Masters GP Gold

Changzhou: China made it a clean sweep at China Masters GP Gold finals tomorrow following a spectacular all Chinese finals in all five categories.

The most anticipated match of the semi-finals was undoubtedly the match between Lin Dan and defending champion, Wang Zhengming. Lin Dan won all 3 of their previous meetings.

Wang used his jump smashes to good effect early in the first set to open up an 8-6 lead. However, his legendary opponent fought back to draw level at 8-8 and then reeled off 3 more consecutive points. The spirited Wang Zhengming was not yet done, as he again drew parity at 14-14 and pocketed three more points to eventually opening up a 19-16 gap. Nevertheless, the 2 time Olympic gold medalist knew how to score points and how to claw back just when it mattered the most. Combining his speedy movements, brilliance shots on top of several mistakes committed by Wang at this critical stage of the game, Lin Dan clinched the first set by winning 5 straight points at 21-16.

Wang Zhengming clearly wasn’t able to pick himself up from the demoralizing defeat in the first set. After 6-6, Wang’s mistakes crept in. The defending champion could hardly match Lin Dan’s deception. Lin Dan then went all the way for a win at 21-12. Lin will play Tian Houwei who is also from China in tomorrow’s final.

“Each game has its ups and downs, but I always remain calm, and steady. I knew when to make mental adjustment and try different strategies to help me win. This is especially critical when I am facing an opponent who is playing at his top form. ” said Lin Dan after the match.

“If I allowed myself to be subject to fluctuations in the game, I would have already lost the last 2 point at the end of first set quickly”. Perhaps, this is the secret of his success.

Below is the complete result of China Masters GP Gold:

Order of play of Saturday, April 19, 2014

		Time	Draw	Players			Score	Duration
Main Location – 1
	1.	Starting at 12:00 PM	MS	Houwei Tian [2] [CHN]		[HKG] Nan Wei [3]	21-15 21-14	0:47
	2.	Followed by	XD	Kai Lu [3] [CHN] Yaqiong Huang [CHN]		[MAS] Aik Quan Tan [MAS] Yin Loo Lim	21-15 17-21 21-12	1:06
	3.	Followed by	MS	Dan Lin [CHN]		[CHN] Zhengming Wang [1]	21-19 21-12	0:45
	4.	Followed by	MD	Jun Kang [1] [CHN] Cheng Liu [CHN]		[SIN] Danny Bawa Chrisnanta [SIN] Chayut Triyachart	21-17 21-17	0:34
	5.	Followed by	WD	Ying Luo [1] [CHN] Yu Luo [CHN]		[JPN] Ayane Kurihara [JPN] Naru Shinoya	21-13 21-11	0:43
	6.	Starting at 7:00 PM	MD	Yilv Wang [CHN] Wen Zhang [CHN]		[CHN] Yun Cai [CHN] Kai Lu	21-19 21-19	0:44
	7.	Followed by	WD	Yaqiong Huang [CHN] Xiaohan Yu [CHN]		[SIN] Shinta Mulia Sari [2] [SIN] Lei Yao	21-13 21-7	0:34
	8.	Followed by	WS	Xin (F) Liu [CHN]		[CHN] Xirui Hui	21-9 21-10	0:23
	9.	Followed by	WS	Yaying Shen [CHN]		[CHN] Xue Yao [2]	21-19 21-19	0:40
	10.	Followed by	XD	Yilv Wang [CHN] Huan Xia [CHN]		[CHN] Yuchen Liu [CHN] Ying Luo	21-14 21-17	0:36