Tontowi-Liliyana Wins Champion Title at China Open

Jakarta (Antara) - Indonesian duo Tontowi Ahmad/Liliyana Natsir won a champion title at China Badminton Open 2103 in Shanghai, China, on Sunday. They beat their strong rival from Denmark Fischer Nielsen/Christina Pedersen at the final round of the mixed double event in a rubber set 21-10, 5-21 and 21-17. The victory was the first they made against the Danish players in the last four meets. It was also their revenge against the Danish who beat them in front of their fans in the country at Indonesia Open 2013 some time ago. Tontowi/Liliyana who were ranked second in the world started the first set well by never letting Fischer/Pedersen overtake them in point collection to win it. However in the second set the Danish could make the Indonesian pair helpless and could only collect five points. In the third set the match went tightly and was tense. Although Tontowi/Liliyana could lead the game their opponents kept tailing them closely in point collection. Tontowi/Liliyana however were finally able to stop the Danish's progress to close the game at 21-17 after playing for 54 minutes. In the tournament at Yuan Shen Gymnasium, Tontowi/Liliyana were the only Indonesian players who were able to reach the final round and win a champion title. The host players meanwhile were able to win three champion titles in the championship. Li Xuerui won the champion title of the women's singles event while Chen Long the men's singles and Wang Xialoi/Yu Yang the women's doubles event. The champion title of the men's doubles was taken by Lee Yong Dae from South Korea who paired with a new partner Yoo Yeong Seong. (*)