Lin Dan won his third and a hard-fought title in men’s singles at the Asian Badminton Championships against Sho Sasaki of Japan 14-21, 21-9, 21-15 in the seesaw
final that took 66 minutes in Gimcheon. This was his back to back win after last week’s China Masters title. Lin got off to a sluggish start in the first set, Sho Sasaki took advantage of Lin Dan’s sloppy mistakes, and reeled off the first set with a 21-14 win.
Lin Dan found the rhythm for his rhythmic offense in the second set; he didn’t give Sasaki much of a chance to end second set with 21-9.
Early on in the decider, Sasaki and Lin was involved in neck and neck fight, until Lin Dan was able to pulled away half way through the game to sealed the match with 21-15. This was Lin Dan’s 10th win against the Japanese.
In the women’s doubles final, the unseeded Luo Ying and Lou Yu from China upset the second-seeded duo from South Korea, Kim Ha-Na and Jung Kyung-Eun, 21-18, 21-18.
The host nation won women’s singles; Sung Ji-Hyun toppled the number one seed Wang Shixian of China, 21-19, 21-15;
In men’s doubles, Shin Baek-Cheol and Yoo Yeon-Seong from Korea edged out Li Junhui and Liu Yuchen of China 22-20, 21-17.
Lee Chun Hei and Chau Hoi Wah of Hong Kong prevailed over Shin Baek-Cheol and Jang Ye-Na, 13-21, 21-15, 21-15 in mixed doubles final.
