Wuhan: The five-time world champion and twice Olympic gold medalist Lin Dan of China successfully defending the Badminton Asia Championships title on Sunday. Lin defeated compatriot Tian Houwei 21-19, 21-8 in 50 minutes to retain the title he won last year in South Korea.
Thailand shuttler Ratchanok Intanon kept up her end of the bargain in the women’s singles final with her stellar run by stretching Olympic champion and top seed Li Xuerui in a three-set thriller. The 20-year-old Thai, the world number seven, fought back from one set deficit to win 20-22, 23-21, 21-12 against the home favorite in a match that lasted 76 minutes. Ratchanok pocketed USD $15,000 (480,000 baht) cash prize from the tournament. Her career record against Olympic champion Li improved to 3-7 after the win on Sunday.
In men’s doubles, Lee Yong-Dae and Yoo Yeon-Seong of South Korea overcame a three-point deficit when they were trailed by 16-19 in the decider, they held their nerves and eventually closed out the absolutely jaw-dropping match over Mohammad Ahsan/Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia with 18-21, 24-22, 21-19 in 73 minutes.
In an all-China women’s doubles final, Ma Jin and Tang Yuanting outlasted Wang Xiaoli and Yu Yang 21-12, 21-12 to clinch the women’s doubles title.
Indonesian pair Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir required just 36 minutes to cruise past defending champions Lee Chun Hei and Chau Hoi Wah of Hong Kong 21-16, 21-15 to win the mixed doubles title.
