Lin wins year's first title, Lee shows up to congratulate
2019-04-08
Lin Dan of China celebrates after winning the men's single finals match against Chen Long of China at the Celcom Axiata Malaysia Open 2019 badminton tournament in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 7, 2019.[Photo/IC]
KUALA LUMPUR - Veteran Lin Dan won the all-Chinese final to take the men's singles title at the Malaysia Open badminton tournament here on Sunday.
Lin, the two-time Olympic champion, rallied from one set down to beat compatriot Chen Long 9-21, 21-17 and 21-11 in the final that lasted one hour and 18 minutes.
On his first title of the year, the 35-year-old Lin said that "it demonstrated that my previous training was effective, more importantly, it gave me confidence."
His long-time rival Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia, who is still recovering from a nose cancer last year, showed up at the award ceremony of the men's singles as the former world No. 1 opted to skip the Malaysia Open under the advice of his doctor.
"He congratulated me on my performance," said Lin. "He looks pretty well, I am sure we will meet again at the court."
China's Lin Dan returns a shot during Men's single final match against China's Chen Long at the Malaysia Badminton Open in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 7, 2019. [Photo/IC]
Elsewhere, both mixed doubles and women's doubles finals were all competed among the Chinese shuttlers.
In the mixed doubles final, top seed Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong beat second seed Wang Yilyu and Huang Dongping 21-17, 21-13 in 38 minutes, while Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan put on their best in the women's doubles final by beating Du Yue and Li Yunhui 21-14, 21-15 in 37 minutes.
In the men's doubles, world champions Li Junhui and Liu Yuchen of China beat defending champions Takeshi Kamura and Kiego Sonoda of Japan 21-12, 21-17 in 42 minutes, awarding China its fourth crown in the Malaysia Open.
The women's singles was the only title that slipped out of their hands, which was won by Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei who beat Akane Yamaguchi of Japan 21-16, 21-19.
China's Lin Dan, right, speaks with special guest Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia after the awards ceremony for the men's single final match at the Malaysia Badminton Open in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sunday, April 7, 2019. [Photo/IC]
China's Lin Dan, right, poses with Chen Long and special guest Lee Chong Wei, center, from Malaysia for a picture during the awards ceremony for the men's single final match at the Malaysia Badminton Open in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sunday, April 7, 2019.[PHoto/IC]
