Chen shocks Lee to win Japan Open badminton tournament

On-song Chen Long claimed his second title in two weeks when he shocked world number one Lee Chong Wei to win the men's singles title at the Japan Open on Sunday. The Chinese fourth seed, fresh from glory at the China Masters last weekend, dashed the Malaysian's defence of the title with a 21-8, 10-21, 21-19 victory. In the women's singles final, Chinese world champion and number one Wang Yihan whipped the eighth-seeded Juliane Schenk of Germany 21-16, 21-14 in 43 minutes to regain the title she won in 2008 and 2009. "It's exciting. I didn't think about anything during the match. I'm younger and he (Lee) is strong. I was just lucky to win today," said Chen, 22, after winning the Japan Open for the first time. The Chinese, also winner at the Thailand Open this season, used effective soft-touched cross-court shots to pile up the points in a surprisingly one-sided first game. But Lee, 28, controlled the second game, hitting an array of spectacular jump smashes combined with disguised overhead drop shots to take eight straight points on his way to tie the contest at one-game all. The lead changed hands several times in an exciting final game with neither being able to take more than a three-point lead. Chen recovered from 15-17 down and tied at 18-18 and then 19-19 before taking a 20-19 lead when Lee's forehand shot landed in the net. The title was Chen's when Lee hit a smash wide. Schenk, who eliminated world number two Wang Shixian of China in the semi-finals, defeated Wang Yihan at the 2009 world championships and pushed her all the way at the Indonesian Open. But Wang Yihan got her revenge in a scintillating display of almost flawless badminton. "First of all, I'm very happy to win my third Japan Open title. It was a good match. Both played our best. I had a tough time, too, but she made an error at that moment. I think that's why I won today," said Wang, 23. "When I played her at the Indonesian Open it was really a tough match. I think she has become a threat to Chinese players. Hopefully, I can play in my best form when I play her next time."