Hong Kong: China’s Chen Long put on a display of explosive athleticism to beat Malaysian world number one Lee Chong Wei in the final of the Hong Kong Open yesterday, as Chinese players stormed to a clean sweep.
With thousands of spectators cheering him on, second-seeded Chen won 21-19, 21-17 against the Olympic silver medallist, who was the tournament’s top seed but ended the men’s singles final looking exhausted.
In the women’s doubles, controversial Chinese pair Yu Yang and Wang Xiaoli lost to compatriots Tian Qing and Zhao Yunlei, 22-20, 14-21, 21-17, in a spirited contest which lasted for one hour and 13 minutes.
Yu and Wang were among eight players disqualified from the London Olympics for attempting to drop round-robin games in a bid to secure a favourable quarter-final draw.
In the women’s singles finals, Li Xuerui of China beat fellow countrywoman and world number one Wang Yihan 21-12, 11-3. Wang left the game early due to an injury.
In the mixed doubles, China’s Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei beat compatriots Xu Chen and Ma Jin 21-17, 21-17. REUTERS
