JAKARTA: China’s Chen Long and Spain’s Carolina Marin retained their men’s and women’s singles titles, respectively, at the Badminton World Championships in Jakarta today.
Lee Chong Wei was hoping to become Malaysia’s first world champion but Chen Long spoiled the party for him by winning 21-14, 21-17 in 65 minutes.
“Chen Long was too strong today. I could not match his speed… everything about him was perfect in the match. I couldn’t do anything to win,” said Chong Wei.
Chen Long said: “Chong Wei played well but I did better. The fans were fantastic and they inspired me to win again.”
His win marked China’s first success in the men’s singles in Jakarta since Xiong Guobao victory at the Indonesia Open in 1989.
In the women’s singles final, Carolina defeated Saina Nehwal of India 21-16, 21-19 in 58 minutes.
"I knew from the beginning it was going to be a very tough match because Saina is really good but I kept fighting until the end and am very happy with my performance today,” said the delighted Carolina.
China’s Zhao Yunlei took her tally to five world titles when she won the women’s and mixed doubles events today.
Zhao Yunlei started the day by retaining her mixed doubles title with Zhang Nan. The World No 1 defeated compatriot Liu Cheng-Bao Yixin 21-17, 21-11 in 44 minutes.
It was their third world title having also won in 2011 in London.
In the women’s doubles, Zhao Yunlei-Tian Qing successfully retained their title by edging Denmark’s Christinna Pedersen-Kamilla Rytter Juhl 23-25, 21-8, 21-15.
Results
Finals
Men's singles: Chen Long (Chn) bt Lee Chong Wei (Mas) 21-14, 21-17;
Doubles: Mohammad Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan bt Liu Xiaolong-Qiu Zihan (Chn) 21-17, 21-14;
Women's singles: Carolina Marin (Spa) bt Saina Nehwal (Ind) 21-16, 21-19;
Doubles: Tian Qing-Zhao Yunlei (Chn) bt Christinna Pedersen-Kamilla Rytter Juhl (Den) 23-25, 21-8, 21-15;
Mixed doubles: Zhang Nan-Zhao Yunlei (Chn) bt Liu Cheng-Bao Yixin (Chn) 21-17, 21-11.