体坛英语新闻：Chen and Li claim third consecutive title

QINGDAO, China, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese shuttlers Chen Jin and Li Xuerui both registered their third consecutive title in recent three tournaments as they triumphed at the Asian badminton championships here on Sunday.

Chen Jin is only one step away from qualifying for the London Olympic Games after winning the men's singles title, beating teammate Du Pengyu 21-12, 21-18 in the final.

Victories in Switzerland, Australia and the Asia championships boosted Chen's hopes for an Olympic ticket as his close rival, Denmark's Peter Gade, suffered a surprise quarterfinal defeat at the European championships.

Chen is currently ranked fifth in the world, but based on points collected during the Olympic period he is at No. 4, ahead of Gade. Chen needs to secure the fourth place until the end of April to ensure his Olympic ticket.

Chen will fly to India to participate in the final Olympic qualification - India Superseries - on Monday.

"I don't have time to relax. I was playing all the time in the last two months and feel tired both physically and mentally, but in order to gain more Olympic points, I have to adjust to it," said Chen, who enjoyed a walkover after his semifinal opponent Lin Dan pulled out due to waist injury on Saturday.

The in-form youngster Li Xuerui continued her momentum, outclassing world No. 1 and defending champion Wang Yihan 21-16, 16-21, 21-9.

"I'm familiar with Wang's style," said Li, who grabbed the German Open and All-England Open titles recently.

Li is also on the verge of clinching an Olympic ticket as she is ranked fourth in the Olympic ranking ahead of India's Saina Nehwal, but the 21-year-old still needs sound performance in next week's India competition to ensure her ticket.

Zhao Yunlei was in contention for two titles after entering the women's doubles and mixed doubles finals.

In the women's doubles, she and Tian Qing cruised past youngsters Bao Yixin/Zhong Qianxin 21-14, 21-15, while in the mixed doubles, she and Zhang Nan defeated Xu Chen/Ma Jin 21-13, 21-12.

In the men'doubles final, South Korea's Kim Ki Jun/Kim Sa Rang beat Hiroyuki Endo/Kenichi Hayakawa of Japan 21-12, 21-16.