China dominates French Open

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

With shuttlers in all five final spots, China has lived up to its top billing as the powerhouse of the racket sport by clinching at least three titles at the French Super Series tournament.

Top seeds Zhang Yawen and Wei Yili romped a convincing 21-10, 21-15 win over their fifth-seeded fellow countrywomen Zhao Tingting and Yu Yang in the women's doubles finals.

The world No. 1 pair needed only 34 minutes to secure their third major title for this year, after winning the All England and Singapore Super Series titles.

In the men's doubles, former world champions Fu Haifeng and Cai Yun, now ranked second in the world, dashed the hopes of Malaysian evergreen veteran Choong Tan Fook and Lee Wan Wah to win their first title.

The Chinese duo defeated their Malaysian opponents 21-14, 21-19 in 38 minutes to grab their fourth title this year.

However, Sunday was not a perfect day for China, as in-form Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia stole the show by defeating Chinese hopeful Bao Chunlai 21-11, 21-14 in the men's singles final battle.

World No. 2 Lee managed to recover after an early exit in the World Championships in Kuala Lumpur in August to win his fourth title this year.

Later in the day, China's top seed Xie Xingfang was scheduled to take on Pi Hong Yan of France.

In the last match, Indonesia's Flandy Limpele and Vita Marissa will be on their way to claim their second major title this year in a battle against Chinese pair Xie Zhongbo and Zhang Yawen.