Datuk Lee Chong Wei wins second consecutive Korea Open title

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I’M STILL NO. 1: Datuk Lee Chong Wei plays a shot during his men’s singles badminton match against Pengyu Du of China during the finals in Seoul. — AFP photo

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Lee Chong Wei stamped his mark as the number one shuttler in the world by successfully defending his Korea Open title at the Olympic Gymnasium 2 in Seoul, yesterday.

The top seed and 2012 London Olympics silver medallist only needed 42 minutes to dispatch fourth seed, Du Pengyu of China 21-12, 21-15 in the men’s singles final for his third Korea Open title.

Last year, Chong Wei defeated his nemesis, Lin Dan of China to clinch his second Korea Open title in rubber sets, 12-21, 21-18 21-14 while his first title came in 2010 after defeating Danish master Pete Gade Christensen.

Meanwhile, China and host nation were equally strong as both countries clinched two titles each.

Women’s World number five pair, Yu Yang/Wang Xiaoli of China defeated their compatriot, Ma Jin/Tang Jinhua, 21-17, 21-13 in an all-Chinese women’s doubles final.

The Asian badminton powerhouse claimed their second title through Zhang Nan/Zhao Yunlei who defeated compatriots, Xu Chen/Ma Jin, 13-21, 21-16, 21-13 in the mixed doubles final.

Unseeded Sung Ji Hyun of South Korea pulled off an upset against fourth seed, Wang Shixian of China with a 21-12, 22-20 win in the women’s singles category.

Sixth seed, Ko Sung Hyun/Lee Yong Dae of South Korea also emerged victorious by upsetting Men’s world number one pair Mathias Boe/Cartsen Mogensen of Denmark 19-21, 21-13, 21-10 win in an hour-long match.

All winners in the doubles category pocketed USD79,000 (RM238,619) each, singles category USD75,000 (RM 226,537) while the runners-up in all categories received USD38,000 (RM114,779). — Bernama