Former World Number One Reigns

reuters

Lin Dan returns a shot to his opponent Chen Jin.


Hyderabad (8/16) - Lin Dan of China creates a hat-trick of world championship title after vanquishing his junior Chen Jin in comfortable straight sets, 21-18 and 21-16, in 46 minutes.

After 2-1 for Chen Jin, Lin Dan always led the first set. In the second set, Chen Jin managed to lead 12-10, but former world number one Lin Dan was too good for the second seed.

When the score was 20-16 championship point, Chen Jin's serve was out of the service line and Lin Dan walked to the net to shake hands with the umpire and then with Chen Jin.

“I did not celebrate as I was not sure whether I had won it or not. I was a bit confused,” Lin Dan said.

Lin Dan had won 2006 and 2007 world championship titles. He becomes the first men's singles player to collect three All England titles, hat-trick of world championship, and an Olympic gold medal. It doesn't matter if he isn't seeded one. His performance show his class.


“Still, this is a great experience for me to win the world title for the third time.

“I feel very happy and honoured of this achievement today,” said Lin Dan.

“But I would not have felt too bad if Chen Jin had won. After all, the title is for China.”

Lee Yong-dae and Jung Jae-sung to the Final Again


Happy winners and sad losers

In the men's doubles, 2007 finalists of Korea, Lee Yong-dae and Jung Jae-sung reached the final after humbling second-seeded Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong 16-21, 21-14, and 22-20. Lee and Jung will compete against fifth seeds, Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng.

The Chinese pair beat Malaysian Zakry Abdul Latif and Fairuzizuan Tazari in rubber sets, 18-21, 24-22, and 21-15.

Top Seed's Cold Body

On the other hand, world number one Lee Chong Wei could not stand pressure of being the top seed of world championship. On Friday (8/14), when he lost to Indonesia's Sony Dwi Kuncoro, whose practice was not supervised by his coach, his body became cold and he did not want to eat. Lee was nervous even before he went into the court.

“There is no doubt that Chong Wei is a world class player but he is not as solid as we wanted him to be at the top.

“His techniques and skills are there but he has to make the right decision when he is on court and no one can help him on this except himself. And this is not easy for any player in the world,” said Lee's coach, Misbun Sidek.

Even the Malaysian psychologist who is in Hyderabad could not help Lee to be confident.

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