Sports / China
Super Dan returns to winning ways
By Zhao Rui (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-07-19 08:45
He was under fire for his lack of fire and his Olympic future looked
uncertain, but China's top shuttler Lin Dan is "Super Dan" once more
following his return to winning ways.
Lin swept Wong Choong Hann of Malaysia 21-19, 21-9 to win the China
Masters Cup in Chengdu on Sunday and says he now feels back to his very
best.
World No 1 Lin Dan of China celebrates after beating Malaysian veteran
Wong Choong Han in the men's singles final in the China Masters Cup in
Chengdu, Sichuan Province last Sunday. [Xinhua]
"I've regained the feeling that I had in my early career, and I feel the
desire inside me," Lin told Sina.com. "I couldn't sleep after coming back
from the Surdiman Cup. I didn't want to see myself losing the desire. I
know I have to be 100 percent focused at all tournaments, big or small. I
want to feel the pressure of the Beijing Olympics.
"I was overwhelmed after the Masters Cup because I found myself."
The most talented single's player in the national team, Lin was the
subject of severe criticism from head coach Li Yongbo for his lackluster
performances at last month's Sudirman Cup in Glasgow, Scotland when he
lost to Asian champion Lee Chong Wei in a preliminary stage tie against
Malaysia. It was the first time that China failed to win all rubbers in a
Sudirman Cup tie since the 2003 final.
Li blamed him for losing passion and being "a mere mortal who can be
dropped from the team at any time".
But Lin looked determined and refreshed as he put on his usual display of
speed and acrobatics to muscle past Lee in the semifinal before smashing
his way to the title.
The world No 1 proved he will be the main focus of the team's Olympics
bid and he also recaptured coach's trust.
"The biggest benefit this time is the return of Lin," said Li. "He has
lost a lot of games since March, and he played very badly at the Sudirman
Cup in Scotland. I'd say he didn't live up to expectations this year.
"But over the past few days, I have seen him recover and he is on his way
to returning to what he was. I am sure he learned a lot from recent
setbacks and wins. The experience makes him understand that a great
athlete has to keep his form at a very high level throughout his career.
I was very happy to see Lin come back in Chengdu."
Lin will have to defend his title at the world championships next month
to shake off the impression that he is not able to take the pressure in
major tournaments.
The world No 1 suffered a first round exit in the 2004 Athens Olympics
followed by a defeat to Indonesia's Taufik Hidayat in the final of the
world championships in 2005. He also lost to Hidayat in the final of the
Doha Asian Games in December last year.
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