Lin Dan clinches NZ Open crown

Lin Dan returns a shot to Shi Yuqi during the men's singles final match at the All England Open Badminton tournament in Birmingham, England on Sunday. - AP Photo/Rui Vieira

KUALA LUMPUR: China’s Lin Dan showed he’s shaping up well for the Thomas Cup Finals after winning the New Zealand Open in style.

The five-time world champion took 52 minutes to beat Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie 21-14, 21-19 in the men’s singles final in Auckland yesterday.