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Korea Open: Chong Wei second best

IT was another wasted opportunity for Lee Chong Wei to beat Lin Dan of China when the latter prevailed at the crucial stages to capture the Korea Open men's singles crown in Seoul yesterday.
Chong Wei was not tested severely by Lin Dan but yet he let the title slip away as the Olympic champion won 21-19, 14-21, 21-16 in 67 minutes.

Chong Wei, who won the World Super Series Masters Finals in Taipei and the Malaysia Open last week, failed in his bid to get the US$90,000 (RM275,000) first prize, the highest in men's singles in badminton and had to settle for US$45,600 (RM139,200).

It could have been a different story had Chong Wei shut out Lin Dan while leading 18-17 in the first game. But he lost concentration and gave away two easy points.
Chong Wei earned a comfortable 21-14 victory in the second set but drifted from his rhythm when he started to play cautious again in the deciding game.







Lin Dan's gleeful reaction after winning match point showed his relief in escaping unscathed in a tough battle.

Chong Wei said he was quite exhausted after playing in three tournaments in the last four weeks and he will take a few days' break.

"It was a very close match and although I lost, the gap (between him and Lin Dan) is getting closer.

"There are a lot of things to learn from my mistakes here and rectify them before the All England (in March) where I will probably meet him (Lin Dan) again," said Chong Wei.

"It has been a tough month where I had to play in three tournaments and I really need a few days' break.

"I will not go back to Penang but remain in Kuala Lumpur to take a complete break to recharge myself.

"My immediate goal is the All England and I will return fast to focus on my preparations for the tournament."

The men's doubles was the only crown that eluded China as Jung Jae Sung-Lee Yong Dae of South Korea defeated Mathias Boe-Carsten Mogensen of Denmark 21-6, 21-13 in the final.

China won the women's singles and doubles as well as mixed doubles to underline their dominance.

RESULTS -- (All Finals) Men's Singles: Lin Dan (Chn) bt Lee Chong Wei (Mas) 21-19, 14-21, 21-16.

Doubles: Jung Jae Sung-Lee Yong Dae (Kor) bt Mathias Boe-Carsten Mogensen (Den) 21-6, 21-13.

Women's Singles: Wang Yihan (Chn) bt Wang Shixian (Chn) 21-14, 21-18.

Doubles: Wang Xiaoli-Yu Yang (Chn) bt Tian Qing-Zhao Yunlei (Chn) 21-18, 19-21, 21-14.

Mixed doubles: Zhang Nan-Zhao Yunlei (Chn) bt Jiaming Tao-Tian Qing (Chn) 21-17, 13-21, 21-19.

Read more: NST

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