Chen Long makes strong case for spot in China’s world meet team

Chen Long of China reacts while playing against Takuma Ueda of Japan during their mens singles second round match at the 2017 Badminton Asia Championships in Wuhan, in central Chinas Hubei province on April 27, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / STR / China OUT

PETALING JAYA: Chen Long (pic) has given China a good reason to consider him for the World Championships by winning the Asian Badminton Championships (ABC) title.

Yesterday, Chen Long put up one of his finest performances in recent times to beat compatriot Lin Dan 21-23, 21-11, 21-10 in an entertaining 80-minute men’s singles final at the Wuhan Sports Centre in China.

It was Chen Long’s first international title since winning the gold at the Rio Olympics in August last year.

The win against two-time Olympic champion Lin Dan is a big boost for Chen Long. The world No. 9 has failed to qualify on merit for the World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, from Aug 21-27.

A country can have a maximum of four players in the championships if all of them are in the top eight at the end of the qualification period.

Defending champion Chen Long missed the cut on last Thursday’s cut-off mark.

He is ranked fourth behind world No. 5 Shi Yuqi, Tian Houwei (No. 7) and Lin Dan (No. 8).

The China Badminton Association (CBA) are now certain to drop one of the three players to accommodate Chen Long following his sensational win yesterday.

It is highly likely that Houwei may be dropped. The CBA have until May 11 to confirm their entries.

FINAL RESULTS
Men’s singles: Chen Long (Chn) bt Lin Dan (Chn) 21-23, 21-11, 21-10.
Men’s doubles: Li Junhui-Liu Yuchen (Chn) bt Huang Kaixiang-Wang Yilyu (Chn) 21-14, 21-12.
Women’s singles: Tai Tzu-ying (Tpe) bt Akane Yamaguchi (Jpn) 18-21, 21-11, 21-18.
Women’s doubles: Misaki Matsutomo-Ayaka Takahasahi (Jpn) bt Kim Hye-rin-Yoo Hae-won (Kor) 21-19, 16-21, 21-10.
Mixed doubles: Lu Kai-Huang Yaqiong (Chn) bt Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Sapsiree Taerattanachai (Tha) 21-18, 21-11.