History as Lin lands 5th All England title
Source: Agencies |
March 13, 2012, Tuesday
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Print Edition
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LIN Dan won a record fifth All England Open title in anticlimactic fashion when defending champion Lee Chong Wei retired with a shoulder injury in the final in Birmingham on Sunday.
Lin was leading 21-19, 6-2 after 31 minutes when Lee summoned the medical trainer for a third time and quit, holding his right playing shoulder. He said it was sore when he woke on Friday after sleeping awkwardly on it. Even though he still reached the final, he considered not playing his great rival of the past decade but didn't want to disappoint the fans.
"I am pretty disappointed but I couldn't risk continuing," he said. "I don't want to push myself too much in this Olympic year."
Lin became the first man in the 33-year Open era to win five All Englands, adding to titles in 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2009. In the post-war era, only Rudy Hartono, eight in the 1960-70s, and Erland Kops, seven in the 1960s, have more men's titles in the world's oldest tournament, when it was regarded as the unofficial world championship.
The all-Chinese women's final was also a surprise as Li Xuerui stunned world champion Wang Yihan 21-13, 21-19 to win her first title.
For Lee, who lost his bid to become the first man to win three successive All Englands in the Open era, the Olympics are his priority, especially after losing the 2008 Beijing Games final to Lin. He is Malaysia's best hope of a first Olympic gold medal.
Lin was surprised by Lee's retirement, but believed the top-ranked player, whom he regards like a brother, did the right thing by being "professional" so he'd be fully fit for the Thomas Cup finals in May and London Olympics. "In the first game we played like usual, chasing each other," Lin said. "In the second game I was very happy because I was always leading. I wish the injury hadn't influenced the outcome."
The match was to their usual high standard. Lin shelved his easygoing swagger and was all seriousness in producing magnificent diving saves and winning backcourt smashes, while Lee fought from 12-16 to tie it at 19. Lee sought medical help halfway through the game and afterwards.
After Lin beat Lee for the 19th time in 28 matches, they unexpectedly swapped shirts. "We're counting down our careers and cherishing every match," Lin said. "I wouldn't have done it four years ago but this game now is not all about winning and losing."
Lin was leading 21-19, 6-2 after 31 minutes when Lee summoned the medical trainer for a third time and quit, holding his right playing shoulder. He said it was sore when he woke on Friday after sleeping awkwardly on it. Even though he still reached the final, he considered not playing his great rival of the past decade but didn't want to disappoint the fans.
"I am pretty disappointed but I couldn't risk continuing," he said. "I don't want to push myself too much in this Olympic year."
Lin became the first man in the 33-year Open era to win five All Englands, adding to titles in 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2009. In the post-war era, only Rudy Hartono, eight in the 1960-70s, and Erland Kops, seven in the 1960s, have more men's titles in the world's oldest tournament, when it was regarded as the unofficial world championship.
The all-Chinese women's final was also a surprise as Li Xuerui stunned world champion Wang Yihan 21-13, 21-19 to win her first title.
For Lee, who lost his bid to become the first man to win three successive All Englands in the Open era, the Olympics are his priority, especially after losing the 2008 Beijing Games final to Lin. He is Malaysia's best hope of a first Olympic gold medal.
Lin was surprised by Lee's retirement, but believed the top-ranked player, whom he regards like a brother, did the right thing by being "professional" so he'd be fully fit for the Thomas Cup finals in May and London Olympics. "In the first game we played like usual, chasing each other," Lin said. "In the second game I was very happy because I was always leading. I wish the injury hadn't influenced the outcome."
The match was to their usual high standard. Lin shelved his easygoing swagger and was all seriousness in producing magnificent diving saves and winning backcourt smashes, while Lee fought from 12-16 to tie it at 19. Lee sought medical help halfway through the game and afterwards.
After Lin beat Lee for the 19th time in 28 matches, they unexpectedly swapped shirts. "We're counting down our careers and cherishing every match," Lin said. "I wouldn't have done it four years ago but this game now is not all about winning and losing."
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