Badminton: Lee Chong Wei shocks Chen Long to clinch China Open crown

Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia hits a return against Jan O Jorgensen of Denmark during their men's singles quarter-final match. PHOTO: AFP

FUZHOU, China (AFP) - Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei stunned world No. 1 Chen Long 21-15, 21-11 to capture the men's singles title in badminton's China Open on Sunday.

The victory allowed the 33-year-old, a former world No. 1 himself, to secure his second Super Series title this season.

South Koreans Kim Gi Jung and Kim Sa Rang also enjoyed an upset in the men's doubles, beating Chinese sixth seeds Chai Biao and Hong Wei 21-13, 21-19.

But there was better news for the hosts in the other events.

In the women's singles, Li Xuerui, the sixth seed, upset top seed Saina Nehwal of India, winning 21-12, 21-15.

In the women's doubles, Tang Yuanting and Yu Yang beat Misaki Matsutomo and Ayaka Takahashi, the top seeds from Japan, 18-21, 21-13, 21-12.

In the mixed doubles, Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei beat Danes Joachim Fischer Nielsen and Christinna Pedersen 21-19, 17-21, 21-19.

Fuzhou has proved a happy hunting ground for Lee this week. On Saturday he finally vanquished his long-time nemesis Lin Dan in the semi-finals.

He won 17-21, 21-19, 21-19 to shock the five-time world champion and the home crowd at the Haixia Olympic Sports Centre in Fuzhou.

The victory will help Lee end the year on a high after he had to serve an eight-month doping ban earlier this year.

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