* Chen Long ends Axelsen’s giant killing run
* Carolina Marin goes one better in Sydney to win Australian Open for her third Superseries title this year
Reigning world and All-England and Maybank Malaysia Open champions Chen Long and Carolina Marin added the Australian Open title to their list when they won the men’s singles and women’s singles titles respectively at the Sydney Olympic Park Sports Center in Sydney on Sunday
World No 1 and top seed Chen of China put an end to Viktor Axelsen’s giant killing feats in Sydney when he defeated the lanky Dane 21-12, 14-21 21-18 in the final to pocket USD56,250 after a 77-minute battle.
But Axelsen, a former world junior champion Viktor was USD28,500 richer but he can also take pride in his sensationally knocking Chinese superstar Lin Dan in the first round in the semi-finals dumped compatriot and third seed Jan O Jorgensen. Axelsen was unseeded in Sydney.
For Marin, the third seed, it was another sweet win over a Chinese opponent – when she gave a splendid performance to defeat Wang Shixian (5th seed) 22-20, 21-18 in 58 minutes for her third superseries title this year. In the Malaysian Open the Spaniard defeated Li Xuerui 19-21, 21-19, 21-17 in the final.
Victory was sweet for Marin who went one better this year to take the USD56,250 prize money that came with the title. Marin finished runners-up to India’s Saina Nehwal last year with the Indian winning the final 21-18, 21-11.
Defending champions and top seeds Lee Yong-dae-Yoo Yeon-seong retained their men’s doubles title with a 21-16, 21-17 win over China’s Liu Cheng-Lu Kai in the final which gave them USD59,250 in prize money.
It was a disappointing for Liu Cheng who was also on the losing end in the mixed doubles final. Liu Cheng and partner Bao Yixin , seeded fourth, were beaten Reginald Lee Chun Hei-Chau Hoi Wah – the unseeded pair from Hong Kong – who won 21-19, 19-21, 21-15.
RESULTS (All Finals)
MEN
Singles
Chen Long (Chn) beat Viktor Axelsen (Den) 21-12, 14-21, 21-18
Doubles
Lee Yong-dae-Yoo Yeon-seong (Kor) beat Liu Cheng-Lu Kai (Chn) 21-16, 21-17
WOMEN
Singles
Carolina Marin (Spn) beat Wang Shixian (Chn) 22-20, 21-18
Doubles
Ma Jin-Tang Yuanting (Chn) beat Tang Jinhua-Tian Qing (Chn) 21-19, 16-21, 22-20
Mixed Doubles
Reginald Lee Chun Hei-Chau Hoi Wah (Hkg) beat Liu Cheng-Bao Yixin (Chn) 21-19, 19-21, 21-15
