Zhang/Gao Take Mixed Doubles Title in China Open Badminton

Home>>Sports

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, December 22, 2002

Zhang/Gao Take Mixed Doubles Title in China Open Badminton

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Olympic and world champions Zhang Jun/Gao Ling of China defeated compatriots Chen Qiqiu/Zhao Tingting 11-4, 11-4 to win the mixed doubles title in the China Open badminton championships Saturday in Guangzhou.

Zhang/Gao, runners-up of the 1999 China Open, raced to a 5-0 lead in the first set before dropping their first point to Chen/Zhao.

After Chen/Zhao cut the deficit to 7-4, the Chinese top pair did not lose any further point to take the first set in 15 mintues.

Chen/Zhao led 4-1 in the second one but that was the furthest they could go as Zhang/Gao grabbed next 10 points in a row to seal the victory and the title.

In the men's singles, World No. 1 Chen Hong of China downed Malaysia's Hock Kin Yong in straight sets to reach the final where he faces another Malaysian Choong Hann Wong.

Chen, who is looking for his fourth grand prix title this season to add to his success in the Japan, Singapore and Denmark Opens, overcame the shock of allowing Yong to cut a nine-point gap in the opening game to win 15-13, 15-8.

"I was a little bit relaxed when leading 7-0 in the first game only for Yong to battle back," said the 23-year-old Chen.

"Fortunately, I recovered and didn't let him go further."

Wong, the 2001 China Open runner-up, took only 35 minutes to shut out Denmark's Kenneth Jonassen, the only non-Asian in the topfour, 15-3, 15-7.

China's Gong Ruina and Zhang Ning, the top two seeds in the tournament, will square off in the women's singles final on Sunday.

Gong, runner-up of the event in 1999 and 2001, used a combination of quick footwork and court control in long rallies todefeat Mia Audina Tjiptawan of the Netherlands 11-5, 11-8.

The 27-year-old Zhang disposed of teammate Xie Xinfang 11-7, 9-11, 11-5 after a three-set duel which featured numerous long rallies and service changes.

Chinese players also dominated the women's doubles, with top seed Gao Ling/Huang Sui vying against compatriots Wei Yili/Zhao Tingting for the title on Sunday.

Gao/Huang made short work of teammate Chen Lin/Jiang Xuelian 11-5, 11-7, while Wei/Zhao upset Yu Yang/Liu Qiuming, also of China, 11-4, 11-8.

The men's doubles is the only event that the hosts have no player in the final.

Choon Eng Chew/Chong Ming Chan of Malaysia beat local favoritesFu Haifeng/Cai Yun 15-6, 15-5 to set up a final showdown against Thai duo Pramote Teerawiwatana/Tesana Panvisvas, who toppled Denmark's Michael Sogaard/Jim Laugesen 15-11, 15-12.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Defending Champions Beaten in China Open Badminton

China Open Badminton Championships Results

Chinese Dominate Women's Doubles in China Open Badminton

Roh Moo-hyun Becomes New President of S.Korea ( 2 Messages)

US-Japan Missile Defense Cooperation Worries China ( 5 Messages)

China to Calculate GDP Using International Method ( 2 Messages)

Shanghai Chosen to Produce Home-designed Turbo Jets ( 4 Messages)

China, Myanmar Sign Economic, Technical Cooperation Agreement ( 2 Messages)