Lin Dan creates history

The Chinese may be dominating the world of badminton but the matches between their own stars hardly rise to the level people expect them to. The World Championship finals in both the men’s and women’s singles were no exception, reports Abhijeet Kulkarni.

The Chinese may be dominating the world of badminton but the matches between their own stars hardly rise to the level people expect them to. The World Championship finals in both the men’s and women’s singles were no exception.

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Fifth seed Lin Dan completed a hat-trick of titles when he defeated second seed Chen Jin 21-18, 21-16, while Lu Lan was crowned the new champion after she beat Dan’s girlfriend and two-time champion Xie Xingfang 23-21, 21-12.

And the expression of victory from both champions —throwing up their arms without even a hint of excitement -— proved the lack of intensity in both matches.

The men’s singles stars were the first to take the court and it seemed like they were playing a practice match — both opting for a toss-drop game and none of them looking one bit aggressive.

Dan, the Olympic champion, just said after the match that he was “happy to win his third successive title”. Chen, on the other hand, complimented his compatriot for winning the title and said it was his experience that had made the difference. “This was my first World Championship final. But my time will also come.”

Meanwhile, the next India Open will be played from June 7-13,said Badminton Association of India (BAI) president VK Verma.