Victory on homesoil for Tian Houwei in China Masters
It came the hard way but China's Tian Houwei did enough to celebrate his third career title in style - winning this year's China Masters men's singles final in Changzhou, Jiangsu in the final on Sunday.
The world No 9 carved out a 21-15, 15-21, 21-16 win over giant killer Qiao Bin in a 75-minute thriller for his third career win and end a nearly four year drought.
For the record, Qiao Bin, ranked No 24, had pulled off a stunning 21-16, 15-21, 21-14 win over defending champion and top seed Lin Dan in the semi-finals on Saturday for his first victory over the Chinese legend which left the head-to-head count tied at 1-1.
China also clinched victories in the women's and mixed doubles events while Taiwan took the men's doubles and Japan the women's singles.
The women's singles which was an all-Japan affair. Second seed Aya Ohori was taken the full distance before prevailing 21-9, 9-21, 21-18 in 64 minutes over fifth seed Saena Kawakami.
China's Bao Yixin-Yu Xiaohan, who stunned top seeds and compatriots Huang Dongping-Li Yinhui in the semi-final made use of the opportunity to beat Huang Yaqiong-Tang Jinhua with a thrilling come-from-behind 8-21, 21-14, 21-17 to lift the women's doubles title in 71 minutes.
The men's doubles saw Taiwan's top seeds Chen Hung-ling-Wang Chi-lin living up to their top billing as they strolled to a straight sets 21-14, 21-6 win over Japan's fifth seeds Takuto Inoue-Yuki Kaneko in only 30 minutes.
China's Wang Yilyu-Huang Dongping beat Taiwan's Liao Min-chun-Chen Hsiao-huan 21-14, 21-10 for the mixed doubles title.
RESULTS (ALL FINALS)
Men's singles
Tian Houwei (Chn) beat Qiao Bin (Chn) 21-16, 15-21, 21-16
Men's Doubles
Chen Hung Ling-Wang Chi Lin (Tpe) beat Takuto Inoue-Yuki Kaneko (Jpn) 21-14, 21-6
Women's Singles
Aya Ohori (Jpn) beat Saena Kawakami (Jpn) 21-9, 9-2, 21-18
Women's Doubles
Bao Yixin-Yu Xiaohan (Chn) beat Huang Yaqiong-Tang Jinhua (Chn) 8-21, 21-14, 21-17
Mixed Doubles
Wang Yilyu-Huang Dongping (Chn) beat Liao Min-chun-Chen Hsiao-huan (Tpe) 21-14, 21-10
Related Article
World and Olympic Champions Competing at the BAMTC 2023
Job Vacancy: Chief Operating Officer
