China's Dan Lin returns a shot to Malaysia's Chong Wei Lee during the men's singles …
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WEMBLEY, England (AP) — Olympic badminton champion Lin Dan had an ideal preparation for his title defense when he won his fourth world title on Sunday in the Wembley arena to be used for the 2012 Games.
The second-seeded Chinese player saved two match points against top-seeded Malaysian Lee Chong Wei and went on to a 20-22, 21-17, 23-21 victory. It was probably the best encounter of the 24 between the two great rivals.
Lin rarely dominated and there were moments, particularly at 16-13 in the final game, when it seemed Lee's court coverage, patience and ability to turn defense into attack would secure victory.
But when it mattered, it was Lin who delivered. He saved one match point at 19-20 in the final game with an airborne smash, and the other at 20-21 with a lift to the back which drew an overhead drop into the net from Lee.
He then played two cagey points which resulted in two more Lee errors that ended the match, leaving the impression that after 81 minutes of constant pressure the difference between the two men was mental.
"The third set was very emotional. I had to fight so hard," said Lin, who played down his Olympic hopes.
"If I can represent China in London, it would be a great honor for me," he said. "I don't think about next year too much, I will see what happens. There is a very high demand with so many tournaments. I want to prepare and rest so I can do well in them."
Lee did not talk to the media afterward, but his coach Tay Seu Mo said: "Chong Wei missed two match points because at the end of the game he still dared to gamble on his strokes. But mentally Lin Dan was a little stronger."
China maintained its bid to become the first country to successfully defend all five world titles when it took the women's doubles and women's singles titles.
Wang Yihuan, the second-seeded former All-England champion, beat seventh-seeded Cheng Shao Chieh from Taiwan 21-15, 21-10, after recovering from a slow start in which she went 9-12 down.
Wang Xiaoli and Yu Yang won the doubles event, while China was also the favorite to take the men's and mixed doubles titles.
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