Martin, Gade Christensen retain Korea Open crowns<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Women's and men's singles defending champions
\nCamilla Martin and Peter Gade Christensen fulfilled their
\nambitions to retain titles together at the US$250,000 Samsung
\nKorea Open badminton championships in Hanra Gymnasium at Cheju
\nIsland, South Korea, on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Top seed Martin had to expend a lot of energy before securing
\na narrow victory over host player Kim Ji-hyun, ending the
\nKorean's dream of grabbing the title in her last match before her
\nsupporters.<\/p>\n
Martin, the world champion and 2000 Sydney Olympic silver
\nmedalist, won the first game easily 11-7 but lost the second game
\n8-11.<\/p>\n
Kim was only one point away from victory as she led 10-1 in
\nthe do-or-die decider. But Martin, thanks to her experience,
\nmanaged to crawl back to take over the lead 13-10 and the $17,250
\nprize money.<\/p>\n
\"I wasn't feeling very well today. My throat hurt and I wasn't
\n100 percent. I should have finished in the second game \" said
\nMartin, as quoted by Sportalasia.com.<\/p>\n
\"I tried to kill the points too quickly in the third game. I
\nshould have taken my time,\" regretful Kim said with tears on her
\ncheeks.<\/p>\n
Gade Christensen, top seed and the favorite, barely broke a
\nsweat overcoming young Chinese shuttler, Xiao Hui, 15-7, 15-6.<\/p>\n
The tall Danish player gave Xiao no chance. He controlled the
\ngame from the very start despite some good shots from the
\nChinese.<\/p>\n
\"I think he was surprised by the speed of my game, so I was
\nable to put pressure on him. But I think that he will be a good
\nopponent after he plays more matches at this level as he is still
\nquite inexperienced,\" said the Dane.<\/p>\n
Reuters reported in the mixed doubles, South Koreans Kim Dong-
\nmoon and Ra Kyung-min, 1999 and 2000 Open champions, demolished
\nSydney Olympic gold medalists Zhang Jun and Gao Ling of China 15-
\n8, 15-11.<\/p>\n
Kim Dong-moon also won the men's doubles, helping Ha Tae-kwon
\nto defeat compatriots Lee Dong-soo and Yoo Yong-sung 15-9, 15-4.<\/p>\n
China's Huang Nanyan and Yang Wei beat South Koreans Ra Kyung-
\nmin and Kim Kyeung-ran 15-13, 15-10 in the women's doubles final.
\n(yan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/martin-gade-christensen-retain-korea-open-crowns-1447893297",
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