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| April 7, 2003 | Monday | Safar 4, 1424 |
Martin bags Japan Open
TOKYO, April 6: Camilla Martin defied China’s domination in the women’s singles to beat Xie Xingfang for her first title here at the Japan Open badminton tournament on Sunday.
The world number seven from Denmark, who eliminated three Chinese including world number one Zhang Ning and Pi Hongyan on her way and who now plays for France, completed her collection of Chinese scalps with an 11-1, 11-5 win.
In the all-Chinese men’s singles final, the 2000 All England champion Xia Xuanze — last year’s runner-up here — fended off the challenge from his young teammate with a 15-12, 15-10 win.
Gao Ling took two titles for China, teaming up with Zhang Jun to beat the top-seeded Danish pair of Jens Eriksen and Mette Schjoldager 9-11, 11-8, 11-9 in the mixed doubles final.
Gao came back to the court later with Hwang Sui to beat Wei Yili and Zhao Tingting 10-13, 11-6, 11-5 in the all-Chinese women’s doubles final.
The remaining men’s doubles title went to Indonesia’s Flandy Limpele and Eng Hian, now representing England, who defeated China’s Cheng Rui and Chen Qiqiu 15-5, 15-12.
It was her first title since she won the Denmark Open in October last year, receiving the winner’s check of 12,420 dollars and stretching her record against Xie to three wins against one defeat.
Xia, having won his first victory since the Asian championships, the China Open and the Grand Prix Final in 2001, will now concentrate on winning the world championships next month at Birmingham.—AFP
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