Lee wins fourth All England, history for Taiwan
Lee wins fourth All England, history for Taiwan
March 13, 2017 | 12:02 AM
Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei with trophy. — Reuters
March 13, 2017 | 12:02 AM
Last Updated: March 13, 2017 | 12:02 AM
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BIRMINGHAM — Lee Chong Wei, Malaysia's veteran world No. 1, captured the All-England Open Sunday with a trampling 21-12, 21-10 win over China's unseeded Shi Yuqi.
[caption id="attachment_125897" align="alignright"]
Taipei's Tzu Ying holds her trophy. — Reuters[/caption]
It was Lee's fourth All-England title, which equals the achievement of Morten Frost, the Dane who is his coaching director in Kuala Lumpur.
His tally is more than any singles player of the Open era except Lin Dan, the Chinese genius who is the only opponent consistently to get the better of him.
The women's singles also produced a record, with Tai Tzu Ying, the top seed, becoming the first All-England champion in any discipline from Taiwan.
But there was misery for China who suffered their worst tournament for two decades.
At 34, Lee is the oldest singles champion of the Open era.
Lee disclosed afterward that he almost didn't make it to Birmingham, unsure whether his damaged left knee heavily strapped would tolerate competitive stresses.
"When I decided to come — which was a very close decision — I never at all thought that I would win the title," said Lee.
"Yes, I am very surprised. I came because it might be my last, and I just wanted to come and enjoy it."
Tai Tzu Ying, the women's top seed, became the first All-England champion in any discipline from Taiwan.
She was unpredictable but dangerous, with a smash clocked at 223 mph, and overcame Ratchanok Intanon, the gifted former world champion from Thailand, despite trailing by five points in the second game.
The match also had a twist in the tail. Ratchanok seemed about to level the match at 20-18 in the second game when her sliced smash was called in. But a video replay appeal summoned an image showing the shuttle one inch out and, buoyed by the adrenalin of this escape, Tai snatched three more points and the match, winning 21-16, 22-20.
China captured only one title, the mixed doubles, through Lu Kai and Juang Yaqiong, which equaled the lowest total in two decades for the sport's most successful country.
It left head coach Li Yongbo, who earlier claimed that the fallow period "doesn't mean we are going to fall behind," still seeking evidence to support his assertion.
Other results:
Men's doubles: Marcus Gideon/Kevin Sukamuljo (INA x5) bt Li Junhui/Liu Yuchen (CHN x6) 21-19, 21-16.
Women's doubles: Chang Ye Na/Lee So Hee (KOR x4) bt Kamilla Rytter Juhl/Christinna Pedersen (DEN x2) 21-18, 21-13.
Mixed doubles: Liu Kai/Huang Yaqiong (CHN x5) bt Chan Peng Soon/Goh Liu Ying (MAS x6) 18-21, 21-19, 21-16. — AFP
Taipei's Tzu Ying holds her trophy. — Reuters[/caption]
It was Lee's fourth All-England title, which equals the achievement of Morten Frost, the Dane who is his coaching director in Kuala Lumpur.
His tally is more than any singles player of the Open era except Lin Dan, the Chinese genius who is the only opponent consistently to get the better of him.
The women's singles also produced a record, with Tai Tzu Ying, the top seed, becoming the first All-England champion in any discipline from Taiwan.
But there was misery for China who suffered their worst tournament for two decades.
At 34, Lee is the oldest singles champion of the Open era.
Lee disclosed afterward that he almost didn't make it to Birmingham, unsure whether his damaged left knee heavily strapped would tolerate competitive stresses.
"When I decided to come — which was a very close decision — I never at all thought that I would win the title," said Lee.
"Yes, I am very surprised. I came because it might be my last, and I just wanted to come and enjoy it."
Tai Tzu Ying, the women's top seed, became the first All-England champion in any discipline from Taiwan.
She was unpredictable but dangerous, with a smash clocked at 223 mph, and overcame Ratchanok Intanon, the gifted former world champion from Thailand, despite trailing by five points in the second game.
The match also had a twist in the tail. Ratchanok seemed about to level the match at 20-18 in the second game when her sliced smash was called in. But a video replay appeal summoned an image showing the shuttle one inch out and, buoyed by the adrenalin of this escape, Tai snatched three more points and the match, winning 21-16, 22-20.
China captured only one title, the mixed doubles, through Lu Kai and Juang Yaqiong, which equaled the lowest total in two decades for the sport's most successful country.
It left head coach Li Yongbo, who earlier claimed that the fallow period "doesn't mean we are going to fall behind," still seeking evidence to support his assertion.
Other results:
Men's doubles: Marcus Gideon/Kevin Sukamuljo (INA x5) bt Li Junhui/Liu Yuchen (CHN x6) 21-19, 21-16.
Women's doubles: Chang Ye Na/Lee So Hee (KOR x4) bt Kamilla Rytter Juhl/Christinna Pedersen (DEN x2) 21-18, 21-13.
Mixed doubles: Liu Kai/Huang Yaqiong (CHN x5) bt Chan Peng Soon/Goh Liu Ying (MAS x6) 18-21, 21-19, 21-16. — AFP
