Lin Dan is accustomed to the idea of anti-climax in sport. It’s perhaps a fringe benefit of greatness. His Beijing Olympics final against Lee Chong Wei consisted of a short, tame submission from the world No 1, and his World Championships defence didn’t reach a pace of play beyond what he might have when training with country-mate Chen Jin back home. The 25-year-old still won 21-18 21-16 to pick a hat-trick of world titles.

Dan’s experience proved too much for world No 2 Jin, who admitted that, “It was just like practice for us.”

Leading for most part of the match, Dan seized the big points against his junior opponent at crucial junctures to start a Chinese swamping of titles.

With all the time in the world, and almost strolling on the court, Dan worked his rival around, and during one long rally, seemed to be letting the shuttle fall to the ground to his right, but picked it in one whipping flick of the wrist to show a glimpse of his genius. “I’m a genius because I work hard, and so do my team mates,” he said, rather pointlessly downplaying the extent of his talent. “The London Olympics is too far, and I’m only looking to finish the tournaments this year,” he added.

Chen Jin, who played his first world final, didn’t seem too disappointed: “There’s no point in being disappointed. After all we ensured that all medals were in Chinese pockets.”

Senior women’s player Xie Xingfang, though, found it difficult to stop the charge of her younger Chinese mate Lu Lan, who won her first title after a 23-21 21-12 victory. Lu, a finalist at the Indian Open here last year, showed consistency in making her way deep into the draw, and relied on percentage badminton while beating compatriot Lin Wang.

... contd.