China's world number one Lin Dan won second consecutive title at
the IBF World Cup men's singles on Saturday after triumph in an
all-Chinese final at Yiyang, Hunan Province of south China.
Lin, who advanced into the final by a walkover match when
long-time rival Hidayat Taufik of Indonesia quitted citing an
injury, defeated fellow-Chinese Chen Yu 2-1 (21-19, 19-21,
21-17).
The world number one did not seem to be firing on all cylinders
as he committed too many errors and allowed 11th-ranked Chen to
score three straight points while leading 19-18 in the second game
to concede a 21-19 loss, and the match was leveled at 1-1.
The tie-breaker was hotly contested at the opening period as the
two traded the lead until the game was levelled at 8-8. But it was
Lin that pulled away first for a 13-10 advantage and never looked
back before sealing it at 21-17.
Lin, the winner here last year, won the opening game at
21-19.?????
Earlier, Lin's girlfriend, Xie Xingfang, lost to compatriot Wang
Yihan 2-0 in the women's singles final.
(Xinhua News Agency October 28, 2006)