Ageing Super Dan runs out of gas, loses to compatriot Yuqi in final

BIRMINGHAM: Lin Dan’s hopes of winning a seventh title were dashed as Chinese compatriot Shi Yuqi won the men’s title in the $1 million All England Open badminton championships here on Sunday.

Shi, who was runner-up in 2017, defeated the ageing Lin 21-19, 16-21, 21-9. Shi won the close opening game but Lin, the sixth seed and twice Olympic champion, rallied to win the second comfortably to force a decider.

Lin Dan, at 34 the grand old man of world badminton but his past heroics meant he still was the crowd favourite taking on his seventh seeded compatriot. And when he fought back to level games, hopes rose that the man dubbed ‘Super Dan’ may pull it off.

However, Lin didn’t have much left in the tank in the final game as Shi Yuqi, who ran up a 11-2 lead wrapped up the game 21-9 for the match.

It was a chance blown away by the Chinese legend to move within one title of Rudy Hartono’s record eight All-England titles, although the Indonesian’s successes had occurred before the Open era.

The 34-year-old had late last year hinted at retirement saying that he is growing too old and it will be tough for him to compete

at the World Championships which will be held later this year.

However, he is likely to compete since the prestigious event will be held in Nanjing in his home country of China.