Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, December 20, 2002
China Secures Mixed Doubles Titles in China Open Badminton
Host China has already won the mixed doubles title as two local pairs beat their respective opponents Friday to meet in the final of the China Open badminton championships.
Host China has already won the mixed doubles title as two local pairs beat their respective opponents Friday to meet in the final of the China Open badminton championships.
Chen Qiqiu/Zhang Tingting, who ousted second seed Chris Bruil/Lotte Jonathans of Denmark in Thursday's quarterfinals, defeated another Danish duo Michael Lamp/Ann-Lou Jorgensen in straight sets,while Zhang Jun/Gao Ling came from one set down to upset Jonas Rasmussen/Rikke Olsen 8-11, 11-6, 11-2.
Chen/Zhang overcame a four-point deficit in the first set to tie the score at 8-8 and won 11-9.
The Chinese were in total command in the second set, surging toa 5-0 and then 8-1 lead.
But Lamp/Jorgensen stormed back to level 8-8 and overtake 10-8 before Chen/Zhang collected five points in a row to wrap up the victory.
Sydney Olympic champion Zhang/Gao shot into early lead at 4-0 in the first set. But then they made too many errors and Rasmussen/Olsen worked on it to win 11-8.
Zhang/Gao, who eliminated top seed and world No.1 Jens Eriksen/Mette Schjoldager in the quarterfinals, regained composure and claimed the next two games handily.