Second crown for dominant China

Damar Harsanto ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Mon, 05/19/2008 2:47 AM  |  Headlines

WINNING IN STYLE: Chinese players celebrate their victory over South Korea in the Thomas Cup final in Jakarta on Sunday. China won the final 3-1, denying South Korea its first-ever championship (JP/R. Berto Wedhatama)

China defeated first-time finalist South Korea 3-1 on Sunday to clinch its third-straight Thomas Cup men's badminton crown in Senayan, Jakarta.

The victory highlighted China's dominance over the badminton world after its women's team romped Saturday to the Uber Cup title with a win over host Indonesia.

With the double crown in the sport's most prestigious team events, China looks a good bet to take home plenty of Olympic gold in front of their fans in Beijing in August.

The Chinese men's team, with three of world's top four singles players and the second-ranked doubles team in the world, had a clear edge on paper over the Korean team, led by world No. 9 Park Sung-hwan.

However, the Koreans refused to roll over and made China work for the victory.

World number one Lin Dan, eager to make amends for his loss to Malaysian ace Lee Chong Wei in the semifinals, lost the opening game 21-10 to an in-form Sung-hwan.

Looking nervous throughout the game and occasionally glancing over at coach Li Yongbo, Lin managed to regain his composure in the second game and even things up 21-18.

Lin maintained the momentum and the Korean started hitting more errors in losing the third game and the match 21-8.

"I was nervous in the first game because I felt the burden of contributing the first point. But I was sure I could beat him. I think we are quite equal," Lin said in a post-match press conference.

Lin said winning the Thomas Cup was important for his team ahead of the Olympics.

"Now I can focus on winning the gold medal in the Olympic Games," he said.

The first doubles match turned into a battle between world No. 2 Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng of China and world No. 3 Jung Jae-sung and Lee Yong-dae of Korea.

After a hard-fought struggle, the Koreans emerged the winners, 25-23, 21-16, evening things up at one point to one.

"Everybody has ups and downs and I think the Korean doubles are in top form now," Cai Yun said after the match.

China's world No. 3 Bao Chunlai restored the defending champion's advantage by beating Lee Hyun-Il 28-26, 21-11 in the second singles.

Xie Zhongbo and Guo Zhendong sealed the victory for the Chinese by posting a three-set 21-12, 19-21, 21-12 win over Lee Jae-jin and Hwang Ji-man.

The Thomas Cup and Uber Cup wins will hopefully provide some joy for the mourning Chinese, mourning the tens of thousands who died in the massive earthquake in Sichuan province.

Before Sunday's final, the players from both sides held a moment of silence to honor the victims of the earthquake.

China coach Yongbo said the team planned to sell their medals and donate the money to earthquake victims.

While disappointed, South Korea is still pleased to have made its first Thomas Cup final.

"I am proud of our players. They worked hard but the Chinese squad was better," Korean team manager Kim Jung-soo said.

He said he was disappointed with the result and not satisfied with the performance of first doubles player Yong-dae.

"I was hoping to steal a point in the match between Park and Lin Dan. We couldn't make it although Park gave his best. Yong-dae is still young and lacks experience. I believe that if he can improve his fighting spirit, the doubles pair can reach something in the Olympics," he said. (ind)

Results from Sunday's Thomas Cup men's badminton championship in Jakarta:

Final China 3 South Korea 1 Lin Dan (Chn) bt Park Sung-Hwan (Kor) 10-21, 21-18, 21-8 Jung Jae-Sung/Lee Yong-Dae (Kor) bt Cai Yun/Fu Haifeng (Chn) 25-23, 21-16 Bao Chunlai (Chn) bt Lee Hyun-Il (Kor) 28-26, 21-11 Xie Zhongbo/Guo Zhendong (Chn) bt Lee Jae-Jin/Hwang Ji-Man (Kor) 21-12, 19-21, 21-12

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