China show their strength once again

China’s mighty badminton armada continued their domination of the world tour when they captured three of the five titles at stake in the Yonex Australian Open on Sunday.

Former world champion Chen Jin took home the men’s singles crown while young shuttlers Han Li (women’s singles) and Luo Ying-Luo Yu (women’s doubles, right) added the other titles for China.

Indonesia’s Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan (men’s doubles) and Taipei’s Chen Hung Ling-Cheng Wen Hsing (mixed doubles) were the other winners on Sunday.

For Chen Jin, his victory in Sydney is almost sure to guarantee him a ticket to the London Olympics as he is fighting hard to be among the top four to earn a third ticket for China.

He is currently ranked fifth in the world, but based on points collected during the Olympic period he is at No. 4, ahead of Peter Gade of Denmark.

On Sunday, Chen Jin was in his element as he crushed Vietnam’s Nguyen Tien Minh 21-11, 21-12 to take home the top prize.

Defending men’s doubles champions Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan also did their Olympic chances a world of good by winning in Australia.

The Indonesians, who are behind compatriots Muhammad Ahsan-Bona Septano in the world rankings, outplayed Taipei’s Fang Chien Min-Lee Sheng Mu 21-16, 21-15.

The points they gained on Sunday, could very well see the Indonesians inch ahead of their teammates.

Chinese qualifier Han Li (left), meanwhile, delighted the crowd with her performance, as for the second day running, the youngster showed guts and determined to down a highly ranked South Korean.

A day after beating third seed Sung Ji Hyun in straight games, Han Li also needed just two games to beat fifth seed Bae Youn Joo 21-13, 21-14 to claim her first title of the year.

There was joy and disappointment for Taipei’s Cheng Wen Hsing as she won the mixed doubles title with Chen Hung Ling (right), but lost the women’s doubles with Chien Yu Chin.

In the mixed doubles, the Taipei duo edged Malaysia’s Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying 22-20, 12-21, 23-21 to claim the gold medal while China’s Luo Ying-Luo Yu won the women’s crown with a score of 12-21, 21-18, 21-17.