Chinese women rule in Asia as Chen falls short

BEIJING, April 21 -- China made a clean sweep of the women's events at the Asian Badminton Championship on Sunday while Republic of Korea won the men's titles, defeating China in the singles and Indonesia in the doubles.

Defending champion Jiang Yanjiao captured her second Asian championship crown, defeating compatriot Wang Lin 18-21, 21-18, 21-13 in the final in Johor Baru, Malaysia.

The world's No 1 women's doubles pair of Yang Wei and Zhang Jiewen continued their supremacy, beating Chinese Taipei's Cheng Wen-hsin and Chien Yu-chin 22-20, 21-16.

China was denied another title in the men's singles when seventh seed Park Sung-hwan, who was not even expected to make the final, beat fourth seed Chen Jin 21-18, 21-18 to win the trophy.

"I am so happy because this is the first big title for me ever since I made my international debut six years ago," said Park, 24.

"Maybe this title will give me the boost I need in search of more titles," said Park whose last major achievement was an appearance in the final of the 2004 Malaysian Open.

Park beat Boonsak Ponsana of Thailand in the quarterfinals and then Sony Dwi Cuncoro of Indonesia in the semis.

In the second game, Chen, who toppled compatriot and world No. 1 Lin Dan in the semifinal, trailed 10-17 before drawing level at 18-18. But Park steadied himself, forcing Chen on the defensive as a series of wide shots gave Park the game and the match.

The combination of Lee Yong-dae and Jung Jae-sung overwhelmed the Indonesian challenge of Chandra Wijaya and Nova Widianto 21-16, 21-18 to capture their third men's doubles title of the year after the All-England and the Swiss Open.

Their latest victory confirmed their status as the hottest pair on the international circuit, with their sights now set on the Olympic gold medal in four months in Beijing.

Jung said the strategy was to attack Widianto, believing him to be "the weak link".