DENMARK OPEN 2013 Final – China dominant in Denmark

They came, they played, and once again China dominated proceedings on finals day of yet another Superseries Premier event. The Chinese team had representation in four of the five Denmark Open finals and in true Chinese style claimed the top step of the podium in all four.

By Mark Phelan, live in Odense. Photos: Badmintonphoto (live)

In truth, team China were awesome this week as they reasserted their dominance of the sport after a lacklustre World Championships on home soil back in August. Wang Yihan set the Chinese tone for the afternoon’s play as yet again the gutsy Chinese came back from a game down and an interval deficit in the second to claim the women’s singles title in Odense.

Wang Yihan even struggled in the third game against Korea’s Sung Ji Hyun but her never-say-die attitude proved once again to be a major factor in yet another success for the steely Chinese. Trailing 13-17 it looked like the match was there for the Korean to win but Wang took 7 of the next 8 points to move to championship point and even though Sung steadied the ship to level 20-20,  the Chinese was now riding the crest of a wave and took the match 22-20 to the delight of coach Zhang Ning.

“It was a really tough match but even though I’m tired, I show a lot of strength,” said Wang Yihan after the match. “I feel very comfortable playing here in the Danish arena and I have won here before, and it helped me that I could hear the crowd cheering for me.

“Everyone wishes to play games like these. We both played on a really high level. That’s why it’s even more satisfying winning.”

Chen Long defeats defending champion

Lee Chong Wei had come into today’s final on the back of two tough three-game matches at quarter- and semi-final stages. The world number one had certainly ridden his luck this week in Odense but that luck ran out in today’s final as the number two seed Chen Long stormed to victory in two games.

The fact that the match only lasted two games but extended to 68 minutes highlights the level of intensity throughout and the crowd gasped and groaned as many rallies extended over 25 shots.

In the end, even a spirited fight back by the Malaysian was not enough as Chen Long converted his one and only match point to grab the Denmark Open Superseries Premier title.

“I am happy I am in good shape and every match against Chong Wei is a learning process for me as he is such an iconic player in badminton,” said Chen after his victory.

Back-to-back for Bao & Tang

The new partnership of Bao Yixin and Tang Jinhua went back-to-back this afternoon adding the Denmark Open title to the Dutch Open they won last week in Almere. The women’s doubles was Denmark’s only shot at glory on finals day as Kamilla Rytter Juhl and Christinna Pedersen stood in opposition to the Chinese but proved to be no real match to Bao & Tang with the younger Chinese in the partnership outstanding.  Bao is certainly a player for the long term future for China.

“This was an unexpected success for us today and right now we are not sure where this partnership will go for the future,” said the Chinese pair immediately after their success.

Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei rounded off the excellent day for China by lifting the mixed doubles crown and in the only non-Chinese dominated match, Korea’s Yoo Yeon Seong once again took the Denmark Open men’s doubles crown in a brand new pairing.  Last year, it was Yoo with Shin Baek Cheol finding success in their first ever tournament and today the Korean team’s elder statesman had a similar initiation with Lee Yong Dae as the new duo won in two games, defeating World Champions Hendra Setiawan and Mohammad Ahsan from Indonesia.

Final results
MD: Lee Yong Dae / Yoo Yeon Seong (KOR) [8] beat Mohammad Ahsan / Hendra Setiawan (INA) [1] 21-19, 21-16
WS: Wang Yihan (CHN) [5] beat Sung Ji Hyun (KOR) [6]  16-21, 21-18, 22-20
XD: Zhang Nan / Zhao Yunlei (CHN) [1] beat Tontowi Ahmad / Lilyana Natsir (INA) [3]  21-11, 22-20
WD: Bao Yixin / Tang Jinhua (CHN) beat Christinna Pedersen / Kamilla Rytter Juhl (DEN) [2]  21-16, 21-13
MS: Chen Long (CHN) [2] beat Lee Chong Wei (MAS) [1]  24-22, 21-19

Click here for complete, detailed results from Odense

NOTE: In addition it was learned today that both Li Xuerui and Wang Xiaoli suffered illness while in Denmark and had to fly back to China immediately for treatment. Unlike what had been hinted in previous articles here, the Chinese had a very genuine reason for walkovers earlier in the tournament and with this in mind, everyone at Badzine wishes them both a speedy recovery.